The Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Voluntary
Action Network (UPVAN) Sri Ashok Singh welcomed
the participants and thanked them for their curiosity for the release
of the report on a vibrant issue. First of all he expressed his
gratitude for the active contribution of the heads and workers of
the organizations working of the grassroots level in attaining the
objectivity of the study. Thereafter, he briefly touched upon the
main finding of the study. He narrated that it has emerged from
this study that the scheme has not been successfully implemented.
The enrolment of students in primary schools did increase but they
are hardly staying in their classes. There has not been a visible
improvement in the health of the students by taking the so-called
nutritious food. It is because of the non-availability of foodgrains
of the desired quality. Instead, day in and day out the news of
the falling ill of the students after taking mid-day-meal in schools.
It is a happy augury that the Uttar Pradesh government in the Department
of Primary Education, taking the media news in to cognizance, has
constituted the Task Force for the enquiry. However, no permanent
solution is forthcoming. Of and on such news are repeated. It appeared
that the Department of Education is not able to identify its root
cause. The present study has brought to light that the root cause
is the supply of low quality of foodgrains. The provision of sample
checks at three points has been quite ineffective due lack of inter-departmental
coordination and corruption. If village Pradhans are blamed, they
feel agitated and come out for roadside demonstrations. The teachers
also avoid participating in this noble cause.
Sri
Pandey thanked UPVAN and its member organizations
and particularly Sri J. N. Singh, Consultant UPVAN for conducting
a study on such an important issue of social importance. Tracing
the historical background of Mid-Day-Meal scheme he told that it
was first of all initiated as a relief measure in the disaster affected
areas by Madras Municipal Corporation in the year 1925 so that the
children of such areas may not be deprived of education due to their
empty bellies. He further expressed that it is the need of the day
that the objective assessment of Social and educational schemes
are made. It is to be particularly emphasized that how the funds
allocated are utilized on such schemes and programms? Whether the
target group is being benefited through them? It is essentially
needed to adjudge As to what extent the outlay of Rs. 2800 corers
have been utilized for the desired objectives. Sri Pandey placed
some of the suggestions for the successful implementation of this
scheme.
The Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Voluntary
Action Network (UPVAN) Sri Ashok Singh welcomed
the participants and thanked them for their curiosity for the release
of the report on a vibrant issue. First of all he expressed his
gratitude for the active contribution of the heads and workers of
the organizations working of the grassroots level in attaining the
objectivity of the study. Thereafter, he briefly touched upon the
main finding of the study. He narrated that it has emerged from
this study that the scheme has not been successfully implemented.
The enrolment of students in primary schools did increase but they
are hardly staying in their classes. There has not been a visible
improvement in the health of the students by taking the so-called
nutritious food. It is because of the non-availability of foodgrains
of the desired quality. Instead, day in and day out the news of
the falling ill of the students after taking mid-day-meal in schools.
It is a happy augury that the Uttar Pradesh government in the Department
of Primary Education, taking the media news in to cognizance, has
constituted the Task Force for the enquiry. However, no permanent
solution is forthcoming. Of and on such news are repeated. It appeared
that the Department of Education is not able to identify its root
cause. The present study has brought to light that the root cause
is the supply of low quality of foodgrains. The provision of sample
checks at three points has been quite ineffective due lack of inter-departmental
coordination and corruption. If village Pradhans are blamed, they
feel agitated and come out for roadside demonstrations. The teachers
also avoid participating in this noble cause.
Sri
Pandey thanked UPVAN and its member organizations
and particularly Sri J. N. Singh, Consultant UPVAN for conducting
a study on such an important issue of social importance. Tracing
the historical background of Mid-Day-Meal scheme he told that it
was first of all initiated as a relief measure in the disaster affected
areas by Madras Municipal Corporation in the year 1925 so that the
children of such areas may not be deprived of education due to their
empty bellies. He further expressed that it is the need of the day
that the objective assessment of Social and educational schemes
are made. It is to be particularly emphasized that how the funds
allocated are utilized on such schemes and programms? Whether the
target group is being benefited through them? It is essentially
needed to adjudge As to what extent the outlay of Rs. 2800 corers
have been utilized for the desired objectives. Sri Pandey placed
some of the suggestions for the successful implementation of this
scheme. 
