Ram Rattan Sharma
National Programme of Nutritional support for Primary Education which is popularly known as the “Mid-Day Meal Scheme” was launched by the Govt. of India in 1995. The main objective of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is to attain the goal of universalization of primary education. To achieve, the 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 and backward families reach school in empty stomach. It is not possible for them to concentrate on studies with empty stomach. Midday 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 “gender equity” are being realized with the help of Midday meal scheme. This scheme has had positive step on students enrolment, retention and attendance. Most of the children and parents expressed their satisfaction on the implementation of midday meal scheme. According to the parents of children the education, health and nutrition of their children have improved because of midday meal scheme. The study done by professor Amartya Sen’s Pratichi research team in West Bengal also shows that midday meal has increased the enrolment and attendance of children in schools. The increase has been more rapid with respect to girls and children belonging to SC/ST categories. In most of the states 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 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.
According to different surveys conducted midday meal scheme is providing a blessing for the children by providing them nutritious meal at schools. Midday meal has helped to avert an intensification of child under nutrition in many drought affected areas. Planning commission has also thrown light on this fact that midday meal scheme has catered to the nutritional needs of low income groups of both rural and urban areas. Midday meal scheme 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. Midday meal scheme is also fostering egalitarian values among the children. Midday meal scheme has fostered the feeling of co-operation sharing. Because of the implementation of midday meal scheme, the children are feeling more relaxed, stress free and secure thus psychological development of children is also ensured.
Despite all these achievements, there are many problems in the implementation of this scheme. A major draw back found in this scheme is that the teachers have to spend 2 to 3 hours for the implementation of this scheme, because of the involvement of teachers in the scheme, the study time of students and quality of education suffer. Different surveys also revealed the fact that in most of the schools, the basic infrastructure for preparing meal was not available as per requirements. Some schools lack proper kitchens. Storerooms and source of clean water supply, which affects the quality of meal adversely. Sometimes, the non-availability of wheat, rice and gas cylinder, in time also hinders the smooth process of this scheme. The number of students in most of the Govt. primary schools in rural areas is meagre, so the effectiveness of this scheme is at stake. It is also noticed that the active participation of parents, panchayats and local authorities is negligible in this scheme. To make midday meal scheme more effective and successful, it is urgently required to ensure timely transfer of funds and good 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 Govt. No plan can succeed without the active involvement of teachers, parents and local authorities so the active involvement, attention and interest of all these stakeholders are essential for the success of the scheme. It should also be observed that quality of education and time span of teaching should not suffer at any cost.
Midday meal scheme aims to overcome the problems of classroom “hunger” which is a major obstacle in the path of effective and efficient education system. It is to be noted that midday meal scheme of the country is the biggest programme of the world and every effort must be made to make this scheme successful.
( The author is former Deputy Librarian, University of Jammu)
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