Indian Institute of Education, Pune

MID DAY MEAL

District Monitored: Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Period of the Report: 1st April to 30th September 2011

Number of Schools Monitored : 40 Schools (PS-25, UPS-15)

Date of visit to the Schools/District: 12-20 September 2011

REGULARITY IN SERVING MEALAll schools were daily serving hot cooked mealNo interruption was found in any school

TRENDSAll children enrolled in the school opted for the Mid-day-

MealNo extent of variation except two schools between the

number of children availing MDM as per register and actual number of children availed MDM

85.51 percent of children had taken MDM on the day of visit

REGULARITY IN DELIVERING FOOD GRAINS TO SCHOOL LEVELAll schools (100%) received food grains regularlyQuantity of food as per the indicated weight in all schoolsFood grains were delivered at the doorstep in 23 schools Quality of food grain was found to be good in all schools

REGULARITY IN DELIVERING COOKING COST TO SCHOOLNone of the schools received cooking cost in advanceHeadmaster bear the cost of vegetablesIn all schools (100%) cooking cost was paid in cash

SOCIAL EQUITYNo discrimination of any kind was observed in any schoolMost of the children, cooks and helpers were from same

community

VARIETY OF MENUIn 70% schools a weekly menu displayed at a place

noticeable to the communityThe District Panchayat had given prescribed menu to all

schoolsVariety in food preparation as given in prescribed menu

such as rice, dal and vegetables or khichadi observedUse of seasonal green vegetables

QUALITY & QUANTITY OF MEAL Good quality food in 92.5% schoolsQuantity more than enoughChildren happy

SUPPLEMENTARYHealth Identity Card maintained for each child in all

schoolsAnnual health check up in all schoolsIn 55% schools micronutrients and deworming medicines

given to the needy children

STATUS OF COOKSCooks, helpers and waterman available in all schoolsDelay in their payment by 15-20 days

INFRASTRUCTURENone of the schools had a separate Pucca Kitchen shedAll schools had potable water for cooking and drinkingAdequate utensil for cookingUse of LPG in all schools for cooking

SAFETY & HYGIENEOnly in 45 % schools adequate safety measures followedIn all schools, students encouraged to wash their hands

before and after eating food

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESSDaily supervision and monitoring of MDM by the parents

and SMCs almost missingOnly in 27.5% schools roster was maintained by the

community members for supervision of MDM but very few of them use to come in school and supervise MDM

Very few parents/community members found to be aware about the quantity of MDM per child at primary and upper primary level

They need to be oriented and mobilized to participate in the school activities

INSPECTION & SUPERVISIONRegular inspection either by the teachers or headmastersLow frequency of inspection by cluster or block level

authoritiesNo specific suggestions for improving quality

Other relevant issuesContract of providing a cooked MDM through a centralised kitchen

sanctioned and given to Nimit foundationTill MI visit food grains, split pulses and condiments supplied by

contractor instead of cooked foodAdvance amount paid by contractor for purchasing vegetables and

fruit to central schools and then the cluster schools. But no actual cooking cost or expenditure has been paid up to MIs visit in September 2011.

It was found that head of the school is purchasing vegetables from his own pocket and no fruit like banana had been given to the children for the last 2/3 months.

New norms concerning cook- pupil ratio and honorarium of cooks and helpers violated . They were appointed on daily wages.

Thank you!!