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7/23/2019 3. Role of Mid-day Meal Scheme (2)
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/3-role-of-mid-day-meal-scheme-2 1/3
Kurukshetra September 2013 1 717
ROLE OF MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME IN EDUCATION
Dr Anita modi
To attain the goal of universal primaryeducation, many schemes have been
launched by the Central Government
in partnership with the states. The 93 rd
amendment of constitution has made free and
compulsory education as a “Fundamental Right”
for all children in the age group of 6-14 years.
India is also a signatory to the “Millennium
Development Goals”. According to this MDG, India
has to achieve the goal of universal elementary
education by the year 2015.Many schemes like
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), National LiteracyMission and Operation Black Board have been
started to achieve this goal.
In the same way, “National Programmeof Nutritional Support for Primary Education”
which is popularly known as the “Mid-Day Meal
Scheme” was launched by the Government of
India in 1995. The main objective of the MDMS
is to attain the goal of universalization of primary
education. To achieve this objective, emphasis
is laid on increasing the enrolment, attendance
and retention of children in primary classes.
Simultaneously, the aim of this scheme is to
improve the nutritional status of these students.
It is a known fact that many children of poor andbackward families reach school on empty stomach.
It is not possible them to concentrate on studies
7/23/2019 3. Role of Mid-day Meal Scheme (2)
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Kurukshetra September 20131818
with empty stomach. Mid Day Meal scheme aims
to overcome the problem of classroom “hunger”
which is a major obstacle in the path of effective
and efficient education system .This scheme is
also contributing to narrow down the gender
and social distances in the society. The goals of
“social equity” and “genders equity” are beingrealized with the help of MDMS.
Many studies conducted to analysis the
impact of MDMS on enrolment, attendance,
retention and nutritional status of children
found that cooked mid-day meal has become
an integral part of the school-life. This scheme
has had positive impact on student’s enrolment,
retention and attendance. Most of the children
and parents expressed their satisfaction on the
implementation of MDMS. According to theparents of children the education, health and
nutrition of their children have improved because
of MDMS.
In the field survey conducted
by the Centre for Equity Studies
(CES) in Rajasthan, Karnataka and
Chhattisgarh, it is found that in 76
schools out of 81 schools, mid-
day meal were being provided
regularly. It is also noted that
Class I enrolment has increased
by 15 percent in the three states
combined between the 2001-02
and 2002-03 academic years. The study done by
professor AmartyaSen’s Pratichi Research Team
in West Bengal also shows that Mid-Day Meal
has increased the enrollment and attendance of
children in schools. The increase has been more
rapid with respect to girls and children belonging
to SC/ST categories.
A survey conducted by CUTS in Chittorgarh
district of Rajasthan also highlights that most of
schools lack kitchens and food grain storerooms
so more funds need to be allotted to provide
these facilities. Planning Commission also throws
light on this fact that except for Tamilnadu and
Kerala, in rest of the states, majority of sample
schools suffer from the unavailability and poor
functional condition of kitchen sheds and store
rooms. In many studies, it has also been observed
that because of this scheme, the attention of
teachers and students have diverted towards meal
related activities and thus resulting in the loss of
studies. The teachers have to spend considerable
time and energy for the implementation of this
scheme therefore time span of teaching and
quality of teaching are affected adversely. In
the same way the conversion costs is found to
be inadequate for preparing the meal. A study
by National Institute of Public Cooperation and
Child Development, Indore in Madhya Pradesh
also supported the fact that MDMS has resulted
in increased school attendance, retention and
reduction in dropout rates, especially of girls.The academic performance of children has also
improved.
According to different surveys conducted,
MDMS is proving a “blessing” for
the children by providing them
“nutritious” meal at schools. Mid-
Day Meal Scheme has helped to
avert an intensification of child
under nutrition in many draught-
affected areas of ShekhawatiRegion of Rajasthan. Planning
Commission has also thrown light
on this fact that MDMS has catered
to the nutritional needs of low income groups of
both rural and urban areas.
MDMS has been successful in cultivating good
habits like washing hands before and after meals
and in educating them about the importance
of clean water, good hygienic environment and
other related matters. By breaking the shackles
of caste, creed and class among the children,
MDMS is also fostering egalitarian values among
the children. MDMS has fostered the feeling
of co-operation, sharing, co-ordination and
fraternity, thereby, leading the development of
children emotionally and socially also. Because
of the implementation of MDMS, the children are
feeling them more relaxed, stress free and secure.
Mid Day Meal scheme
aims to overcome the
problem of classroom
“hunger” which is a
major obstacle in the
path of effective and
efficient education
system
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Kurukshetra September 2013 1 919
Thus, psychological development of children is
also ensured.
Despite all these achievements, there
are many problems in the implementation of
this scheme. A major drawback found in this
scheme is that the teachers have to spend 2 to3 hours for the implementation of this scheme.
Because of the involvement of the teachers
in the scheme, the study time of students and
quality of education suffer. Different surveys also
revealed the fact that in most of schools, the
basic infrastructure for preparing meal was not
available as per requirements. Somel schools lack
proper kitchens, store rooms and source of clean
water supply which affect the quality of meal
adversely. Sometimes, the non-availability ofwheat, rice and gas cylinder in time also hinders
the smooth process of this scheme.
The number of students in most of the
government primary schools in
rural areas is meager so that the
effectiveness of this scheme is
also at stake. The availability of
easy and good transportation
system managed by the private
schools has adversely affectedthe number of students in
government schools. It is also
noticed during the visits to
schools that the active participation of parents,
panchayats, and local authorities was negligible
in this scheme. In the same way Parent Teacher
Association are also playing a marginal role in
monitoring and implemenng this scheme. The
report of Planning Commission in May 2010 on
Performance Evaluaon of Cooked Mid-Day MealScheme (CMDM) also indicates that a majority of
sample schools in Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya,
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka
denied the involvement of Gram Panchayats in the
scheme. It is also reported that due to long supply
chain, food grain supplied got adulterated and
pilfered which is to be corrected immediately.
Recently, the death of 23 children due to
poisonous food served to them under MDMS has
put a question mark on this scheme. No doubt,
MDMS is good in itself but the problem lies in its
implementation. To make MDMS more effective
and successful, it is urgently required to ensure
timely transfer of funds and food grains in schools.
The quality of food grains delivered to schools
and cooked meal must be checked regularly and
all complaints regarding the quality and quantity
of food grains and meal must be solved urgently.
In the same way, basic infrastructure like hi-tech
kitchens, store rooms, water supply should be
provided to all schools by the Government. No
plan can succeed without the active involvement
of teachers, parents and local authorities. So,
the active involvement, attention and interest
of all these stake holders are essential for the
success of this scheme. Nongovernmental
organizations, local youth and
active social workers can also play
a significant role in this scheme.
It should also be observed that
quality of education and time-
span of teaching should not
suffer any cost. It is to be noted
that MDMS of the country is the
biggest programme of the world
and every effort must be done
to make this scheme successful. It is also found
that “corruption” hinders the path of success of
this programme, so stern actions must be taken
to eradicate the seeds of corruption from this
scheme. It is possible for the country to achieve
the objective of “universalization of education”
by proper and effective implementation of
MDMS. By educating every child of the county it
becomes possible to rule out the differences of
“rural India” and “urban India” and to realize the
concept of “inclusive growth.
[The author is Lecturer in Economics
Government College Khetri Jhunjhunu
Rajasthan]
It is to be noted thatMDMS of the country isthe biggest programme
of the world and everyeffort must be done
to make this schemesuccessful
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