3. Role of Mid-day Meal Scheme (2)

7/23/2019 3. Role of Mid-day Meal Scheme (2)

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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



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



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

Documents

3. Role of Mid-day Meal Scheme (2)