06th November 2024: The Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) and Nourishing Schools Foundation (NS) announced their collaboration on 29th October to implement a toolkit-based innovative nutrition and education program across 20 residential schools in Karnataka. This initiative aims to empower students aged 9-14 years to become changemakers in their communities while improving their health and learning outcomes.
The program will be implemented in 20 selected KREIS schools across Kalaburagi and Belagavi districts, reaching thousands of economically and socially underprivileged students. The collaboration includes comprehensive baseline surveys, specialised teacher training, and the implementation of NSF’s proven educational toolkit that has already impacted over 95,000 children across five states in India.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Social Welfare Minister, Government of Karnataka, said, “This partnership represents our commitment to holistic student development in our residential schools. By integrating nutrition education within our existing curriculum, we are nurturing future leaders who understand the importance of healthy living and can drive positive change in their communities. The comprehensive surveys and monitoring by teachers will provide insights into our students’ nutritional status and learning outcomes. This toolkit-based approach will help us make informed decisions about our nutrition programs and academic interventions.”
Archana Sinha, CEO and Co-Founder of Nourishing Schools Foundation stated, “We are excited to bring this innovative program to Karnataka’s residential schools, where we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children who need it most. Our methodology combines rigorous teacher training and data collection with practical interventions. We have designed our toolkit and training programs to be teacher-friendly, utilising smartphone-based surveys and digital dashboards that can be easily integrated into daily school activities. This would lead to sustained improvements in both the students’ learning outcomes and nutritional behaviours.”
The program is expected to yield measurable improvements in learning outcomes, nutritional status, and health-related behaviours among participating students. Progress will be tracked through sophisticated data analytics and regular assessments, ensuring the program’s effectiveness and sustainability. Schools showing exceptional progress will be recognised as ‘Nourishing Schools.’
