CBSE schools to introduce blood sugar tests for students

Ranchi: Schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are preparing to implement a new health initiative aimed at monitoring and reducing sugar intake among students.

Following a recent circular from the CBSE, all affiliated institutions have been directed to establish 'Sugar Monitoring Boards' and conduct regular blood sugar check-ups as part of a broader campaign to combat childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other lifestyle-related health issues.

Schools conduct eye, dental, weight, and height check-ups, but starting this academic year, sugar testing will also be added to the list. According to school authorities, the implementation will begin soon after the summer vacation.

Principal of Vikas Vidayalaya, P S Kalra, said, "We already have a 16-bed hospital within our campus, as ours is a boarding school, and all essential healthcare facilities are available to students around the clock. In line with CBSE's recent directive, we will now be adding blood sugar testing to our regular health check-up list to ensure early detection and better health management."

According to educationalists, this initiative is in line with recommendations from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.

Rajesh Pillai, principal of Kairali School, said, "Our school's health committee regularly monitors students' height and weight as part of routine check-ups. Now, we're also adding sugar level testing to ensure a more comprehensive health assessment. This will help us identify early signs of metabolic issues and guide parents accordingly."

The CBSE guideline said, "Studies have shown that sugar constitutes 13% of daily calorie intake for children aged 4 to 10 years, and 15% for those aged 11 to 18 years, far exceeding the recommended limit of 5%."