Stricter monitoring of midday meals in schools in Mandya district of Karnataka

All field training officers of the Karnataka School Education Department, BRC and CRC officers and officers at all levels of Akshara Dashoha division have been instructed to visit at least one school every 15 days, taste the food prepared under the Midday Meal scheme, ensure its quality and also inspect food supplies and the place where they are stored. They were told to send photos of their visits and observations via WhatsApp.

Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO KR Nandini issued this directive to officials during a progress review meeting of the scheme at her office in Mandya on November 25.

He said only quality eggs should be distributed to school children. Old and spoiled eggs should not be distributed. He said that as per the instructions of the Karnataka government, eggs should be distributed six days a week.

The CEO said that students should be provided with clean, delicious and nutritious food using leafy vegetables and other vegetables within the available grants.

He told the authorities that the place where food is cooked should be clean, the utensils used while cooking should be clean, and clean water should be used while cooking. Ms. Nandini added that children should be made aware of these issues.

Schools should be instructed to arrange floor mats for students during lunch. He advised that suitable mats could be purchased under the school’s consolidated fund or other available grants as per the rules.

He said that the quality of food supplies provided to schools under the Midday Meal program should be checked and ensured at all levels. School principals should check the quality of food supplies as soon as they are received. He said that if the quality is not good, steps should be taken to return it within four days.

Deputy Director of School Education Department Lokesh G., Akshara Dasoha Education Officer Ravikumar and all field education officers of the district and deputy directors of Akshara Dasoha program were present.