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Mid-day Meal In Sikkim ( Observations Of The Monitoring Institution ). 1. Regularity:. In all schools, MI representatives found that hot meals were served. Meals are prepared in schools.
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Mid-day Meal In Sikkim (Observations Of The Monitoring Institution)
1. Regularity: • In all schools, MI representatives found that hot meals were served. Meals are prepared in schools. • No separate MDM register is maintained. It was claimed that all students take meals. One school mentioned about MDM cards (Amalay PS). • Schools receive rice regularly. 40% of schools visited by the MI, claimed that they maintain one month buffer stock but it is doubtful. Two schools complained about quality of rice. • Foodgrain is collected by the school from godowns (sometimes from a distance of 10 kms). Schools pay the carrying cost and are not reimbursed. • Unusual delay occurs in relating cooking cost (six months to one year). Hence schools are dependent on credit. • Rice/foodgrain is stored in one of the rooms in school-building (class-room or office).
2. Infra-structure: • Almost all schools have pucca kitchen. In one school the kitchen was under construction and another was using a shed as kitchen. • Only 33% schools use gas along with fire-wood. Others depend on fuel-wood only. • Two school do not have water-connection in the kitchen and another school uses water from one of the neighbour’s water-connection. • 66% schools feel that they do not have adequate utensils. • Children take their meals in open fields, class-rooms and terraces in the absence of adequate space/dining rooms.
3. Meals: • Generally weekly menu is not displayed in schools. The MI found such display only in two schools (in Goam and Kewzing). • Rice, dal and some vegeatables are served in most of the schools. Some schools also cater kheer and occasionally meet. Variety is attempted but impossible to realized due to lack of funds. • Students do not approve of khichri in urban areas. • Quality (100 grams approx) is sufficient for lower classes but inadequate for students of class 6 or 7.
4. Health and Hygiene: • Improvement in cleanliness in kitchens is desirable. Nearly 50% kitchens are not hygienic. In 5 schools the MI found that half of the kitchen is full with fire-wood. • A large number of students do not wash there hands. In Tarku a notice requesting students to wash hands was detected. • Students do not possess health cards. • Micro-nutrients (mainly iron-tablets and vitamins) are administered by Public Health Department once or twice in a year. Only two schools referred to de-worming.
5. Status of Cooks: • Cooks are appointed locally by schools. • 70% schools think that one cook is inadequate. • There is no fixed salary for cooks. They receive Rs. 50/- to Rs. 100/- per day. • Almost 60% of the cooks belong to ST category.
6. Participation and Supervision: • It was reported that local people/panchayet members/VEC members often check the meals. But no register could be found. The MI did not find any local person on the day of the visit. • In Lingzoo the SMC has constituted a mother-teacher group to supervise MDM. • In Gumpa-Ghurpisey one women’s group monitor quality of meals. • 40% schools mentioned about visit by government officials including the Jnt. Director.
7. Supervision and Equity: • According to school principals and teachers MDM has improved attendance and has positive effect on drop-outs. • A small number of teachers argued that MDM takes away substantial teaching-time. • It is more popular in rural areas. • Social discrimination in the process of implementation is absent. Thank You
