The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, rooted in India’s history, traces its origins back almost a century to the Madras Presidency during the pre-independence era. While its inception dates back decades, the scheme has experienced a resurgence and garnered renewed attention across most states in the past two decades. This revival underscores its significance in addressing critical issues concerning education, nutrition, and societal welfare. Critically examining its twin objectives reveals a dual focus on combating malnutrition among school children and enhancing school attendance and retention rates. The scheme’s latest mandates aim to not only provide nutritious meals but also ensure quality standards, nutritional balance, and regular monitoring mechanisms. Success in the implementation of the MDM scheme is measured by its ability to achieve these objectives effectively. Key indicators of success include improved nutritional outcomes among children, increased enrollment, reduced dropout rates, and enhanced academic performance. However, challenges persist, including issues related to infrastructure, quality assurance, and equitable distribution. Therefore, while the MDM scheme has made significant strides, a critical evaluation is necessary to address its shortcomings and further optimize its impact on India’s education and public health landscape.
Tag: Social justice.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to briefly write about the Mid-Day meal (MDM) scheme and growing impetus on it.
- In Body,
- Mention its objectives, mandates, and success of the scheme.
- Also, write issues related to MDM schemes.
- Can suggest some measures to strengthen the MDM scheme.
- In Conclusion, try to write about the overall significance of MDM scheme.
Answer:
Mid-Day Meal in schools has had a long history in India. In 1925, an MDM Programme was introduced for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation. By the mid-1980s three States viz. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the UT of Pondicherry had universalized a cooked MDM Programme with their own resources for children studying at the primary stage. In 1995 it was launched all over India.
Objectives and Mandate of MDM Scheme:
- To address the issues of hunger and education in schools by serving hot cooked meals.
- To improve the nutritional status of children and improve enrollment, attendance and retention rates in schools and other education centers.
- It also promotes equality and reduces class differences among people.
The success of MDM Scheme:
- As per the MHRD report around 92 percent children going to government schools are benefitting from mid-day meals while 80 percent of the parents surveyed agreed that the scheme has improved enrolment as well as attendance of children.
- It increases participation of children in school, especially vulnerable sections and promotes better learning, reduces hunger, and promotes healthy growth of children.
- It increased learning among girls and fostered gender and social equality.
- It reduced malnutrition and promoted sanitation through washing hands and good eating habits.
Concerns Related to MDM Scheme:
- According to the CAG report (2017) there is over-reporting of enrolment figures, financial indiscipline, poor quality of meals and inadequate meals.
- The cases of cooking of poor-quality meals in unhygienic conditions, inadequate and poor quality of infrastructure in terms of kitchen sheds and utensils were rampant across all states, exposing children to health hazards.
- There are leakages and lack of accountability in the delivery of service.
- It creates diversion in the school curriculum, as teachers are involved in cooking and serving meals.
- There is caste-based discrimination in cooking and serving food.
Measures to Strengthen MDM Scheme:
- Increase in budgetary support and timely transfer of funds to check irregularities and better service.
- The use of technology, community monitoring and social audit can reduce the leakages and corruption.
- The creation of proper infrastructure for meal programmes in the schools.
- Participation of private sector or contractors can improve the delivery mechanism.
The MDM scheme serves as an impetus to develop children into healthy and productive citizens of tomorrow. It is imperative to continuously innovate the MDM programme to ensure access to nutritious food and quality education to millions of children. The Mid Day Meal is a significant part of the diet of Indian children, it has contributed to the gradual improvement in child malnutrition indicators.
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