Participants of the fourth phase of the PM POSHAN Cook-cum-Helpers Training-cum-Cooking Competition held at the Town Council Hall, Mon, on July 13 (Photo Courtesy: CECS)
Mon, July 13 (MExN): The fourth phase of the PM POSHAN Cook-cum-Helpers Training-cum-Cooking Competition was launched at the Town Council Hall, Mon, on July 13, marking the continuation of a state-wide capacity-building programme for cook-cum-helpers serving government schools.
According to a press release, the two-day programme is part of Phase IV, which will be conducted from July 13 to 27 across Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Noklak, Shamator and Zunheboto districts. Nearly 1,900 cook-cum-helpers are expected to receive practical training on safe, hygienic and nutritious meal preparation.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Subonenba Longkumer, Director of the Community Educational Centre Society (CECS), said the initiative aims to strengthen the preparation of safe and nutritious meals for schoolchildren. He noted that the training programme has covered all 12 districts of Nagaland over the past two years and that CECS has partnered with the Department of School Education for the past five years in implementing the PM POSHAN Scheme through its centralised kitchen, which currently serves 14 schools in Dimapur.
On the first day, Nyulen Phom, Senior Sub-Divisional Education Officer (Sr SDEO), Mon, said cook-cum-helpers play an important role in promoting the health and well-being of schoolchildren and encouraged participants to adopt improved cooking practices.
Delivering the keynote address on the second day, Rose Ngulie, District Education Officer (DEO), Mon, encouraged the use of locally available vegetables in midday meals and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training in their respective schools.
Technical sessions were conducted by chef Supong Longkumer, who led live demonstrations and interactive sessions on food safety, hygiene, nutrition and cooking techniques aimed at preserving the nutritional value of school meals.
The training is being implemented by the CECS in partnership with the Directorate of School Education.
Following the Mon programme, similar training and cooking competitions will be held in Longleng, Tuensang, Noklak, Shamator and Zunheboto district, informed the Society in a press release.
