MID –DAY MEAL SCHEME: THE INSIDE STORY
ARVIND K.PANDEY
The avowed aim to improve the face of education via mid-day meals now seems to have lost its intensity. The indifference of the people involved in its implementation has ensured its failure. The grandiose scheme was brimming with flaws right from its beginning.
Recently, I got a chance to visit my village Kannaura, falling under the district Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh , to participate in a religious ceremony . I had enough time to have a look at the affairs in the nearby primary school .I came to have informal chat with the teachers there .The information provided by them was an eye-opener. They were on the verge of total break-down .The teachers didn’t miss the opportunity , on the condition of anonymity , to lend voice to their suppressed views in no-holds –barred manner .
True , this scheme has taken its toll on the nerves of teachers , whose primary job is to impart knowledge .It’s sad that they are now supposed to make all arrangements for the successful execution of this popular scheme .I don’t know are teachers there to teach or to make sure that government schemes get executed well ? At present, they seem to be more interested in ensuring that each child gets meals at right time. It’s not only creating chaos but also making teachers extremely tired. Right from ensuring the availability of grains to checking quality of the food prepared have been left on the shoulders of the teachers .Despite taking all precautions , the sword of suspension hangs over their heads during the surprise visits by the officials .
The officials seem to have a turned a blind eye to the fact that treacherous role of Gram Pradhans , who are responsible for allocation of grains to the schools . It’s no secret that a large part of the quota sanctioned by the government makes its way into the godown of Gram Pradhan . Now the mother of all questions: How can teacher now ensure quality of food amid such foul play by the Gram Pradhans? Ironically, such Goal Maal seems to have become order of the day in villages. The funds allocated under various schemes for construction of roads, re-construction of school buildings etc. gets distributed among the officials and the Gram Pradhans . No wonder why the social status of Gram Pradhans has taken a big leap in recent years.
Interestingly, these primary schools in villages remain closed for most of the time on one pretext or another. When the open, the teachers get involved in preparing meals instead of teaching .Now it’s for us to figure out what’s going to be the future of these children? Will we be ever able to change the face of elementary education in India?
