VEHARI, March 18: Some 16,000 students of five to 12 years of age will get free meal in 130 government girls primary schools of rural areas of the district under the Tawana Pakistan Project.

It is learnt that at present girl students are being provided with a free meal daily at selected schools.

The main objective of the programme is to improve the education standard as well as the health of girl students.

Education officials claim that far-flung and backward rural areas of the district have been given priority in the selection of schools for launching the programme.

Some 60 schools will be included in the programme at the later stage. The deaf and dumb schools will also be included in the programme. Union council Nazims have been assigned the task to inaugurate the project in the schools falling in their limits.

The programme has been launched in 50 schools in Mailsi and 40 each in Vehari and Burewala.