Ramechhap, June 12:

The programme of distribution of nutritious food in the primary schools would be discontinued from this July and this has disappointed students here.

The nutritious food was being distributed in the district since 2001 with the aid of the World Food Programme.

The programme was launched to motivate children to join schools and at the same time improve children’s nutritional status, but this July the programme would be phased out after the end of the contract period, an official at the District Nutritional Food Project, Bidya Sagar Mahato said.

The news about suspension of the food distribution programme might have a negative impact on the schoolgoing children, said District Education Officer, Balram Timilsina.

The programme had helped many students join school and also the retention of students at the primary level was high. One Sita Bhujel, a student of grade 3 at Ranajyoti primary school Manthali, said she came to know about the cancellation of the programme from her teacher Leela Baral and that she was sad to know this. The nutritious foods were being distributed through 18 centres in Ramechhap.