Firewood returns to school kitchens in Kottayam as LPG availability concerns linger

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Firewood hearths are making an unwelcome comeback in some school kitchens in Kottayam district as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder availability concerns linger.

According to the School Pachaka Thozhilali Union, an association of midday meal cooks affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress, a handful of schools in the district have asked workers to rely on firewood for preparing meals despite schools being accorded priority in LPG allocation.

“A few school headmasters have instructed cooks not to use gas for the time being and instead prepare meals on firewood hearths,” said P. Pradeep, State vice-president of the union.

Earlier in March, the State government issued a circular directing schools to switch to firewood hearths owing to concerns over cooking gas availability. “At that time, the impact was limited as it was the examination season and attendance was low. However, despite a fresh circular issued on April 30, 2026 directing schools not to compel workers to use firewood, the practice continues in some institutions. With classes now functioning in full swing, this has become a major challenge for cooking workers,” he said.

Until a few years ago, meals under the midday meal scheme were routinely prepared on firewood stoves. However, concerns over safety and health prompted a gradual shift to LPG-based cooking, with most schools subsequently upgrading their kitchens and phasing out traditional hearths.

The renewed dependence on firewood is now creating fresh challenges. Many schools, particularly those with limited space, no longer have the infrastructure required to accommodate firewood hearths. While temporary cooking arrangements can be made outdoors, the monsoon has complicated such efforts. School authorities are therefore exploring makeshift alternatives to ensure that meal preparation remains uninterrupted.

The shift has also raised concerns over additional expenditure. School administrators fear they will have to find extra funds to procure firewood