Seven students of an Ashram school in Bellampalli, Mancherial district, fell ill after lunch at their hostel on Saturday. Parents suspected stale food caused the illness and demanded improved food quality, better monitoring and accountability from hostel authorities.
Three students of Mahatma Jyothibha Phule Gurukul in Undavalli mandal were admitted to hospital after rat bites. An inspection revealed prior complaints about rat infestations had been ignored, leading to suspensions and memos for school staff.
After Wednesday's incident, many students stayed away from school. With the previous agency's contract terminated, a new agency was brought in to prepare food. However, when the meal was served, students discovered worms in the rice. Teachers were immediately alerted and discarded the contaminated rice. Fresh rice was quickly arranged, and bananas were distributed to the students as a stopgap. By 3:45 PM, lunch was finally served.
Sources said 15 more students took ill after consuming contaminated dinner at the hostel, on Saturday. Forty-five students fell sick on Thursday and Wednesday.
Students allege that food was being cooked in unhygienic conditions, while drinking water was not protected with water tank getting cleaned monthly once
