The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has tried to ensure that every school tries motivating students to be more health-conscious and physically active. After the success of its campaign “Sugar Board”, which focused on the hidden sugar content within packaged foods, the board has now introduced another mandate by the name of ‘Oil Board’. This initiative is directed towards the fat and oil content of snacks which are commonplace among school students. This is another one of the efforts aimed at fostering a healthy lifestyle within the school environment.
The goal is simple: create awareness, encourage healthy eating habits, and reduce the growing risk of childhood obesity that is impacting not just health but also long-term academic performance.
1. Moving Beyond Sugar Boards: Introducing ‘Oil Boards’
The mandate of ‘Oil Board’ is an answer to the gap left by CBSE’s previous sugar-awareness campaign. This time the spotlight is on the often-overlooked dietary lipids, which remain one of the leading contributors to obesity and health-related issues among the adolescent population. CBSE aims to not only educate students on the oil and fat content of snacks, but also on the long-term benefits of making healthier lifestyle decisions to ensure healthier eating amongst students, within the school and at home.
2. Visual Warnings in Schools
Because of new guidelines, schools are required to have visible “Oil Boards” displaying the oil content of common packaged snacks and fast foods. These ‘Oil Boards’ can be posters or digital frames, which aim to grab attention. The oil content is visually represented. Hence, students become more cautious of their food choices during and after school.
3. Why ‘Oil Boards’ Matter
There is a sense of urgency due to worrisome data from the NFHS-5 Survey and a Lancet Report, which show Indian children are getting obese at an alarming rate. These sedentary children who follow poor dietary habits are at greater risk of long-term health issues, reduced energy, and poor academic concentration. Best CBSE schools in bangalore have a greater expectation to become active centres for nutrition and health education.
4. Where to Place Them
Best placement of an oil board matters for its effectiveness. CBSE has instructed schools to put ‘Oil Boards’ in cafeterias, school lobbies, and multipurpose halls. These are high traffic areas for students, staff, and parents. Hence, with strategic placement, the students can receive health information.
5. Reinforcing Messages via School Materials
The campaign does not end with wall displays. CBSE wants schools to take health awareness in everyday school supplies. Notebooks, homework diaries, letterheads, and folders can and should carry short messages or infographics on diets and living an active lifestyle. This way, students are reminded about nutrition every time they access their school materials and also encouraged to have healthy snacks.
6. Promoting Healthier Eating and Movement
Apart from nutrition, CBSE has retained health and fitness on the agenda. Schools are encouraged to promote the use of stairways in place of elevators, short active breaks in long classes, and sports and other extracurricular activities. Such practices have already been embraced by the best schools in Bangalore as part of their daily routines for mental and physical health.
7. Student Involvement in Health Messaging
Activity based health messaging has shown to be effective, with CBSE advocating for ‘Oil Board’ awareness integrated into projects, competitions, and class discussions. For instance, developing healthier versions of fried snacks or drafting bankable posters of smart lunch boxes can be their project. This, they say, makes the message more personal as the students are not only involved, but their take away after the lesson is an actionable change.
8. FSSAI Support for Schools
In order to help schools with the implementation, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is making available pre-prepared materials for schools, Such as posters, short videos, and fact sheets, these can be displayed in the school hall, on digital notice boards and even during PTM’s. With such materials, top cbse schools in bangalore need not worry about students missing out on lessons as teaching will not be disrupted.
9. CBSE’s Vision for Future-Ready Schools
CBSE is already looking for ways to implement the ‘Oil Board’ directive, signalling that the schools will proactively serve as agents of social change. A school that supports good nutrition is encouraging physical health, which translates to better focus, improved learning outcomes, and better emotional well-being in the child. For parents looking for the top 10 CBSE schools in Bangalore or the best CBSE schools in Bangalore, such health initiatives are clear indicators of the school’s commitment to holistic education.
Presidency School Bangalore North – Committed to Student Health and Wellness
As part of the Presidency Group of Schools, Presidency School Bangalore North has always placed student well-being at the heart of its educational philosophy. The school actively promotes a healthy lifestyle in schools by aligning with CBSE’s health guidelines, including the new ‘Oil Board’ mandate. Through well-balanced cafeteria menus, regular sports and extracurricular activities at best cbse school in Bangalore, and awareness sessions on healthy eating habits, the school ensures that students not only excel academically but also adopt lifelong wellness practices.
By combining quality academics with strong health initiatives, Presidency School Bangalore North stands out among the best schools in Bangalore preparing students to lead active, balanced, and fulfilling lives.
Conclusion
The ‘Oil Board’ initiative is a timely and necessary step toward combating childhood obesity and instilling lifelong wellness habits in students. By making fat content visible, reinforcing healthy eating through multiple touchpoints, and integrating active living into daily routines, CBSE is setting a benchmark for healthy lifestyle in schools.
As more institutions from preschools in Bangalore to senior secondary classes adopt these guidelines, the vision is clear: a generation that grows up healthier, more active, and better prepared for the challenges of life.
