Regularity in serving MDM:

2. Regularity in serving MDM: Ri Bhoi District West Khasi Hills Out of 26 LP and 15 UP schools visited 0nly 21 schools and 12 schools respectively were serving hot cooked meal. Out of the total enrolment of 2955 LP, and 1512 UP students only 1496 LP and 733 UP students respectively availed MDM on the day of visit. • Out of 18 LP and 22 UP schools visited 0nly 12 and 18 schools respectively were serving hot cooked meal. Out of the total enrolment of 1498 LP and 1512 UP students, only 1000 LP and 1213UP students respectively availed MDM on the day of visit.

3. Regularity in serving MDM(Cont): • It was reported that there was interruption of MDM during the quarter under report because of the non supply of food grains to the schools • The State Officials reported that there was shortage of Food grains in the FCI. Reason is due to lapse of quota in the 2nd and 3rd quarter which needs to be re-sanctioned. • The situation does not improve even in the districts just monitored. • It was also observed that the school receives the cooking cost regularly and on time but there was delay in receiving the foodgrains • However some schools are serving the MDM without interruption by managing on their own.

4. Quality and Quantity of food: • In the sampled schools in both the districts it was observed that quality of the meals served is good and children are satisfied with the food. • Regarding the quantity of the food, it was found that the quantity of rice served (100 gms) for primary and (150 gms) for upper primary is inadequate in tribal districts like ours.

5. Variety of Menu • The MI has found that in majority of the schools/implementing agency weekly menu was displayed, though it was displayed at a place noticeable to community outside the wall of the school.

6. Social Equity : • The MI observed that there was no discrimination in cooking, serving and eating of the mid day meals in the visited schools. • Satisfaction of Children/teachers about the implementation and impact of the scheme • The children were satisfied with the quantity and quality of MDM served in the school. • However teachers from the sample schools felt that the quantity should have increased and more allotment to include the Pre- Primary students but they stated that MDM has a positive impact on the attendance of children.

7. Role of teachers and Involvement of community • i) The records related to the implementation of MDM in schools are maintained by the Head master of the schools. In some schools it was observed that a roster of teachers is being maintained to supervise the serving of meals to the children. • ii) Parents and Members of SMC supervised and participated in the monitoring of the MDM but not on regular basis.

8. Convergence with Department of Health • It was reported that (i)regular health check-ups have not been carried out in most of the sampled schools. (ii)The school Health Card is not maintained yet but the School health programme is on the card with the Health Department through NRHM. • It is found that Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin A and supplementation of micro nutrients and de-worming medicines were not provided in the visited schools. • However it was shared that meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to converge with Health Department.

9. Engagement of Cooks-cum-helpers • The Cook cum helper appointed by the school with the money that they receive from the department cooks and serves the meal and the number of cooks and helpers engaged in the school as per GOI norms • (i) Rs 1000 per cook per school • (ii) Mode of payment is through cash • (iii) The number of cooks appointed depends on the enrolment of the school

10. Availability of Kitchen-cum-stores • 70-75% have constructed and in use 20% of the schools visited are under construction • In all the schools visited, the team found that the food grains are stored in the either in the Secretary’s house or head’s room due to the unavailability of kitchen stores and also for the security reasons.

11. Kitchen Devices and mode of cooking: • All the schools visited were having kitchen devices provided under MDM. Children were found to be bringing their plates from homes for MDM in almost all the schools in the both the districts. • All the schools visited were using only firewood, due to unavailability of Gas connection.

12. Drinking Water Facility and Toilets • Almost all the schools visited had water facilities for drinking and other purposes; it was observed that potable water is available in almost all the schools and in most of the schools children were bringing water bottles from home. • Regarding the toilet facilities, most of the schools are having toilets, but some are dysfunctional

13. Lifting of food grains and transportation assistance • It was found that lifting of food grains and transportation assistance is really a problem. • The responsibility of the lifting of food grains and supply lies with the State Civil Supplies Department who also handles the foodgrains under AAY, PDS etc. • It was reported that the dealers lift the foodgrains from the FCI godowns and distributed to fair price shops (FPS) dealers, who in turn are responsible to deliver the foodgrains to the schools. • However, in both districts it was found that the foodgrains for mid day meal were not supplied from the FPS and the food grain is not delivered to the Schools.

14. Transportation to school point: • Government of India provides transportation cost @ Rs.75 /quintal for delivering of foodgrains from FCI to the school level/implementing agency. But it came to the notice of the team that schools are not receiving the foodgrains at their doorstep. • In addition to this, these schools are spending additional money to have the grains delivered to schools • When shared with the State Officials it was found that payment for transport cost was not made to the wholesaler.

15. Recommendations: • Strengthening of the Monitoring and Evaluation system: • A separate MDM cell at different levels namely State, District and Block should be established and consultants, coordinators and support staff may be engaged for these cells for proper implementation of the MDM scheme. MIS should be developed to ensure proper monitoring of the scheme

16. Transportation Cost : • Pending transportation cost should be paid to lifting agency without further delay and suitable mechanism may be established to make regular payment to lifting agency. • Engagement of Cook-cum-Helpers: • Cook-cum-helpers should be engaged in all the eligible schools as per prescribed norms and orientation training may be given on aspects of safety, hygiene and sanitation apart from cooking

17. Construction of Kitchen-cum-stores : • The State needs to speed up the construction of kitchen-cum-stores in all eligible schools. • Transparency: • Instructions regarding the revised norms of the scheme should be communicated and made available at various levels.

18. Training: • District Education officers(DEOs), Deputy Educator Officers, Head Masters and staff need to be trained on aspects of management , fund flow, monitoring guidelines, rules and regulations of the MDM. • Convergence with other departments: • Convergence with DRDA (District Rural Development Agency), Department of Health and Family welfare needs to be strengthened to ensure the proper implementation of the scheme.

19. Coordination with FCI: • Coordination with FCI needs to be strengthened to ensure the proper implementation of the scheme.

20. THANK YOU