Food poisoning, snake bites mark 2024 in Telangana government schools

Over 400 students hospitalised due to food poisoning incidents, multiple snake and rat bite cases have also been reported in schools in 2024  

Hyderabad: In what can be only described as the extremely distressing 2024 year for students’ health and safety, the Telangana Congress government-run educational institutions have been hit by a disturbing wave of incidents, involving food poisoning, snake and rat bites.

According to the data, the year 2024 witnessed a staggering around 423 students getting affected due to food poisoning in government-run schools across the State. This averages at least one student falling ill due to the issue every single day.

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For example, Zilla Parishad High School Maganoor in Narayanpet district saw three food poisoning incidents within 10 days in November and nearly 30 students fell ill on a single day after having the mid-day meal in school. However, officials blamed Kurkure, a spiced snack that students bought from outside, for the issue.

As per the data released by the State government on December 17, at 168 the highest number of students affected due to poisoning incidents were from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), which were meant for girls, particularly orphans and semi-orphans, from disadvantaged and underprivileged sections. In a recent case, 33 students of KGBV Neradigonda in Adilabad suffered from a food-related outbreak incident.

All food poisoning incidents involved hospitalisation. However, the issue took a tragic turn in November when a 14-year-old student C Shailaja died after battling for life for 20 days due to food poisoning. Shailaja was one among 60 students who suffered severe gastroenteritis after having food at her Ashram School in Wankidi mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.

After drawing flak, the State government asked the schools to involve students in mess management committees.

Food poisoning, however, was not the only dangerous situation that students braved in 2024. Four students suffered snake bites, and two suspected deaths were reported from the government-run residential schools. These incidents were reported from one Peddapur Gurukulam School in Jagtial district. Following the incidents, worried parents took away their wards from the School, which is infested with several snakes.

Adding to the woes of students, two cases of rat bites have also been reported in 2024, leaving the student community in a state of fear and distress. In a recent case, Lakshmi Bhavani, a Class X student of the State-run BC Welfare Hostel at Danavaigudem in Khammam district, was bitten by rats multiple times. She had to be hospitalized.

Despite measures including the constitution of a task force, students continue to face issues. Students hope that 2025 will usher in a new beginning with no cases of health-related issues.