International Journal of Educational Science and Research (IJESR) ISSN 2249-6947 Vol.

3, Issue 1, Mar 2013, 81-88 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME IN SCHOOLS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MANSA AND BARNALA DISTRICTS OF PUNJAB (INDIA)
KANCHAN RANI1& PARDEEP JAIN2
1 2

Dept. of Business Management, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India

Dept. of EDP and Humanities, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal, Punjab, India

ABSTRACT
Mid-Day Meal Scheme is one the main scheme which is launched by Central Government of India with a view of enhancing enrollment, retention, attendance and simultaneously improving nutrition level among students. The present study has been carried out with the objectiveof understanding the infrastructure and institutional arrangements for MidDay Meal scheme in the schools of Mansa and BarnalaDistrict of Punjab (India). In the current research, data has been collected from 70schools from these two districts. For this purpose one teacher per school associated with Mid-day meal scheme has been interviewed through a predesigned questionnaire/ schedule. It has been found that although the arrangements for running mid-day meal scheme were satisfactory but there are some key areas like releasing of funds for conversion and cooking cost, where improvement is required.

KEYWORDS: Education, Mid-day Meal Scheme, School, Children, Punjab INTRODUCTION

Building human capital is necessary for improving quality of life for the individual citizens now as much as it is for improving living conditions for generations to come. The Human Development Index , developed by UN, a broad indicator reflecting the capacity of a nation to provide health, education and purchasing power to the citizens places India in relatively low position among the many countries in the world. The India Human Development Index Report 2011(Institute of Applied Manpower Research, 2011) notes that India ranked 119th among 192 considered in term of Human Development Index. The same report also points out that India ranks among top 10 countries in the world in term of GDP growth performance, so health and education remain harder to improve. Strategies to achieve faster improvement in the social sectors, therefore, must receive increased priority in the coming years (Bhide, 2012). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 as well Article 21-A, inserted in the Constitution of India through the Constitution (Eighty Sixth Amendment) Act,2002,became operational on 1st April 2010 in India. This is milestone achievement by the country (Annual Report, 2010-2011). Reasons for Poor Education Level Childhood malnutrition and poor health are two of the greatest barriers to Educationfor All. Progress in both areas has lagged far behind progress in getting into schools. The upshot is that millions of children entering school have had their brains, their cognitive development and their education potential permanently damaged by hunger and ill health. The first is child health. One in three children below the age of 6 in the developing world will start primary school with their bodies, brains and long term learning prospects permanently damaged by malnutrition and ill health. This has important but widely ignored implications for education. When so many of the children entering school have had their lives blighted by sickness

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and hunger, improved access alone is not a secure foundation for Education for All (EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2009). Reasons for Poor Education Level in India The socio-economic development of the country hinges on the health status of its children (Jakhar&Siwach, 2010). Poor enrollment and high school dropout rate are attributed to the poor nutritional status of the children compounded by poor socio-economic conditions, child labour and lack of motivation. Nutrition support to primary education is considered as a means to achieve the objective of providing free and compulsory universal primary education of satisfactory quality to all the children below the of 14 (Srinivasan, 2008). According to government estimates, there are nearly 220 million children in the age group of 6-14 in India , of which 4.6%, or nearly 9.2 million , are out of school(Right to Education,2011). At the time of Independence, India was not self-sufficient in food production and regional food shortage was common. Poverty was rampant;3/4th of Indians were poor, spent 3/4th of their income on food but 3/4th of the children were underweight; child mortality rates were very high. The country recognized the importance of the health and nutritional status of children in nation building and initiated steps to improve access to nutrition and health services with special effort to reach to poor and marginalized segments of the population. In India under nutrition is still the major problem; about 18% of preschool children and about a quarter of school children are undernourished. (Ramachandran, 2012).

MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME IN INDIA

Health status has a significant impact on the development of children and on their education prospects. Malnourished children or children with poor health often have more limited capacity to pay attention in school and perform poorer as a result, have higher than- average absenteeism rates, often fall behind at school, and ultimately may be at greater risk of dropping out of school (World Education Forum, 2000).India, acknowledging that the problem of malnutrition is multidimensional, multi-sectoral and inter-generational in nature, so Government of India(GOI) has introduced a number of schemes to improve nutrition needs of the children. Mid-day Meal scheme is one of the program under the Ministry of Human Resource Development , GOI(Sharma,2011).Indias Mid-day Meal Programme which was conceived to address of malnutrition problem ,is the worlds largest school feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 lakhs schools/Education Guarantee Scheme(EGS) Centres across the country(Ghanashyam,2012). With the vigorous implementation of the SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA) and the cooked Mid-day Meal Scheme(MDM Scheme), the number of out of school children has come down to less than 5% of the total population in the age group of 6 to 14 years i.e. from 4.4 crores in 2001-02 to 70 lakhs in 2006(Annual Report, 2006-07). Implementation of Mid-day Meal Scheme in India by Ministry of Human Resource Development GOI (mdm.nic.in) Guidelines for implementing mid-day meal scheme issued by government of India With a view to enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children, the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th August 1995 Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day, and subsidy for transportation of food grains up to a maximum of INR 50 per quintal. In September 2004 the scheme was revised to provide cooked mid day meal with 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein to all children studying in classes I V .

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In July 2006 the scheme was further revised to provide assistance for cooking cost at the rate of (a) Rs 1.80 per child/school day

From 2008-09 i.ew.e.f 1st April, 2008, the programme covers all children studying in Government, Local Body and Government-aided primary and upper primary schools. The calorific value of a mid-day meal at upper primary stage has been fixed at a minimum of 700 calories and 20 grams of protein by providing 150 grams of food grains (rice/wheat) per child/school day.

During the year 2009 the following changes have been made to improve the implementation of the scheme:o Food norms have been revised to ensure balanced and nutritious diet to children of upper primary group by increasing the quantity of pulses from 25 to 30 grams, vegetables from 65 to 75 grams and by decreasing the quantity of oil and fat from 10 grams to 7.5 grams. o Cooking cost (excluding the labour and administrative charges) has been revised from INR 1.68 to INR 2.50 for primary and from INR 2.20 to INR 3.75 for upper primary children from 1.12.2009 to facilitate serving meal to eligible children in prescribed quantity and of good quality .The cooking cost for primary is INR 2.69 per child per day and INR 4.03 for upper primary children from 1.4.2010.The cooking cost will be revised by 7.5% from 1.4.2011. o A common unit cost of construction of kitchen shed @ INR.60,000 for the whole country was impractical and also inadequate .Now the cost of construction of kitchen-cum-store will be determined on the basis of plinth area norm and State Schedule of Rates. The Department of School Education and Literacy vide letter No.1-1/2009-Desk(MDM) dated 31.12.2009 had prescribed 20 sq.mt. plinth area for schools having upto 100 children. For every additional upto 100 children additional 4 sq.mt plinth area will be added. States/UTs have the flexibility to modify the Slab of 100 children depending upon the local condition.

8.41 crore Primary children and 3.36 crore Upper Primary children i.e a total of 11.77 crorechildren were estimated to be benefited from MDM Scheme during 2009-10. 11.04 Crore children were covered under MDM Scheme during 2009-10.

Cooking cost (excluding the labour and administrative charges) has been revised to INR 2.89 for primary and INR 4.33 for upper primary children.

During 2010-11 11.36 Cr children i.e. 7.97 Cr. children in primary and 3.39 Cr. children in upper primary are expected to be covered in 12.63 lakhs institutions.

From July, 2012, further Cooking cost (excluding the labour and administrative charges) has been revised to INR 3.11 for primary and INR 4.65 for upper primary children.
Table 1: Total Funds Released by Central Government for Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Year Wise Outlay under Mid-Day Meal Scheme (INR in Crores) Year BE RE Releases 2007-08 7324 6678 5835.44 2008-09 8000 8000 6539.52 2009-10 8000 7359.15 6937.79 2010-11 9440 9440 9128.44 2011-12 10380 10380 9901.92 2012-13 11937 4343.14 as on 27-7-2012 Source: Annual Report (2010-2011), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India

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Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Punjab (India) Punjab is divided into 20 Administrative Districts,72 Tehsils,216 Educational Development Blocks and 12711 villages (Mid Day Meal, Punjab). In Punjab, cooked Mid-day Meal was provided to children of primary classes in one block in every district. Government of Punjab started providing cooked meal to all the students of primary classes from September, 2004. In 2007-08 Punjab Government has started providing cooked meal to upper primary (VI-VIII) classes(Chugh).As per census 2011, the total population of Punjab is 27704236. Present literacy status of Punjab is 76.7%. In present paper research has been carried out in two district of Punjab namely Barnala and Mansa with literacy rate 68.9% and 62.8% respectively. Mansa district is having lowest literacy rate in Punjab (SarvaShikshaAbhiyan)

METHODS
Objective of the Research The objective of the study was to understand the infrastructure and institutional arrangements for Mid- Day Meal scheme in MansaandBarnala District of Punjab (India). Participants The sample consisted of 70 both primary and upper primary schools(39schools from Mansa district and 31 schools from Barnala district). The participants in the research were teachers who are associated with implementation mid-day meal scheme in the school. Respondents were 70 school teachers one teacher per schools, has been interviewed. Data Collection The collection of quantitative data has been done with the help of pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaires/schedule from the teachers involved in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme. The interview schedule has covered the information related to the infrastructure and institutional arrangements for Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The field work was carried personally inabove these districts of Punjab states(India) from February 2011 to June 2011.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Mid-day Meal Programme is credited with encouraging enrolment & attendance. After the Universalization of the Mid-day Meal Programme significant numbers of research studies have pointed out to both enhanced enrolment and retention level in primary schools. As the main objective of this research paper was to find out the implementation level Mid-day meal scheme in Punjab therefore Schools teacher (In all 70 teachers one teacher from each school) who plays a major role in implementation of mid-day meal scheme in the school has been interviewed. For smooth running of the mid-day meal, the infrastructural and institutional arrangement includes the proper supply of the food grain, sanctioning of money at right time (conversion cost, cooking cost and salary of cook) and proper infrastructural arrangement like kitchen, water facility, and cemented sitting area for lunch time etc. The findings of the research have been explained with the help of tables (Table 2, 3, 4).

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Supply of Food Grain and Sanctioning of Funds for Conversion Cost and Cooking Cost Table 2: Supply of Food Grain and Sanctioning of Funds for Conversion Cost and Cooking Cost
Factors Total No. of Schools Surveyed District Number Percentage

S.NO

Getting MDM Food Grain at Proper time If MDM Food Grain is not delivered at proper time, how much delay in supply of the same

70

Mansa Barnala Mansa

70 Barnala

Mansa Reasons for delay in supply of Food Grain

70

Barnala

Getting conversion cost, cooking cost and salary of cook at right time for MDM

Mansa 70 Barnala

Yes No Yes No 1-5 days 6-10 days 11-15 days 15 Above days 1-5 days 6-10 days 11-15 days 15 Above days 1.Lack of Information from the School 2.Lack of Information from the Department 3.Delay due to Transportation 4. Misuse of ration by influential persons 5. Supply problem 1.Lack of Information from the School 2.Lack of Information from the Department 3.Delay due to Transportation 4. Misuse of ration by influential persons 5. Supply problem Yes No Yes No INR 1000-10000 INR 10000-20000 INR 20000-30000 Above INR 30000 Not Revealed INR 1000-10000 INR 10000-20000 INR 20000-30000 Above INR 30000 Not Revealed

36 3 28 3 0 2 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 6 33 11 20 7 8 8 6 4 12 3 1 0 4

92% 8% 90% 10% 0% 67% 33% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 67% 0% 0% 33% 15% 85% 35% 65% 21.3% 24.3% 24.3% 18% 12% 60% 15% 5% 0% 20%

Balance of conversion cost, cooking cost due against Government

Mansa 70 Barnala

Source: Personal Field Survey Table-2 depicts that there was a positive response regarding supply of food grain.92% of the teachers from Mansa district and 90% teachers from Barnala district reported proper supply of food grain in the school for running mid-day meal scheme. Only 8% and 10% teachers from Mansa and Barnala respectively reported negative, and most of them mentioned that there was delay of 6-10 days. And the reason explained by them for improper supply is some problem from the department; handling Mid-day meal at district level and at suppliers end. Also the response in case of releasing of funds for conversion cost, cooking cost was not good. Only 15% and 35% teachers from Mansa and Barnala respectively responded that they got the money at the right time. 85% teachers from Mansa district reported delay in getting funds and they used to manage their own for the smooth running of the scheme.During the survey teachers stated informally that they either take credit from the local vendors or spend from their own pockets to ensure regularization of MDM.It was found in the survey

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that mostly schools had negative balance of cooking cost which was due against the Government. Approximately 70% of the Schools have revealed the range of the negative balance which was between INR 1000- 30000, and 18% of the schools have more than INR 30000. Although Barnala district had shown a bit positive result with 35% of the schools getting

funds at the right time, in comparison to Mansa district but it was also not up to the mark. 65% of the schools reported delay in getting funds for conversion and cooking cost. 20%of the schools had due balance more than INR 30000 and 60% were having between INR 1000-30000. Infrastructural Arrangement for Mid-day Meal: Allocation of Funds for Construction of Kitchen and Availability of Water Facility In Table-3, there are findings related to infrastructural arrangements in the schools for running mid-day meal scheme. These findings were quite promising as both Mansa and Barnala districts reported 100 % availability of Kitchens for cooking food. Although schools had kitchens but there were some problems related to funds for construction of kitchens in the schools. 92.3% teachers from Mansa district and 87% teachers from Barnala district interviewed reported that the kitchen is complete and functional and in remaining schools kitchens were incomplete. In Mansa district 72% of the schools who had complete construction of kitchen were satisfied with the amount sanctioned by Government i.e. INR 60000 per school and they had constructed the kitchen with sanctioned funds but the case was reverse in district Barnala. 78% of the schools in Barnala district reported that funds sanctioned for kitchen construction were not sufficient. In both the districts who responded funds as insufficient for construction of kitchen. Most of them arranged the funds from other sources but they were reluctant to reveal the sources from where they had arranged the funds. In the 70 schools surveyed, there was 100% availability of water facility within the school premises. Table 3: Infrastructural Arrangement for Mid-day Meal: Allocation of Funds for Construction of Kitchen and Availability of Water Facility SNo. 1 Factors Whether there is a Kitchen or not District Mansa Number 39 0 31 0 36 3 27 4 26 10 6 21 0 1 9 3 0 18 Percentage 100% 0% 100% 0% 92.3% 7.7% 87% 13% 72% 28% 22% 78% 0% 10% 90% 14% 0% 86%

Kitchen construction is complete or incomplete

Barnala Mansa

INR. 60000(Sanctioned by Government) were sufficient for complete construction of kitchen or not If funds were not sufficient for construction of kitchen, how school has arranged the funds

Barnala Mansa

Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No From Gram Panchayat Contribution from staff members Any other source From Gram Panchayat Contribution from staff members Any other source

Barnala Mansa

Barnala

Source: Personal Field Survey

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Availability of Utensils: For Storage of Food Grain and for Distributing Meal to Children Table-4 reveals the factors related to arrangement of utensils in the school for storage of food grain and for distributing noon meal the children. It was found that in both the districts there was 100% availability of the utensils for storage purpose. Further it has been found that there was not a satisfied response about the availability of utensils for distributing meal to the children. 77% teachers from Mansa district reported that there is no utensil for distributing meal and students used to bring Katori (Bowls) the home. Similarly from Barnala district also 65% of the teachers responded the nonavailability of utensils for distributing meal. They revealed that mostly students brought bowl and some students brought plate along with bowl. Table 4: Availability of Utensils: For Storage of Food Grain and for Distributing Meal to Children SNo. Factors Does the school have sufficient utensils and space for storage of Food Grain Does the school have utensils for distributing meal to the students Whether Students bring utensils from home Total No. of Schools Surveyed 70 Barnala Mansa 70 Barnala Mansa 70 Barnala Mansa 4 Which type of utensil the students used to bring 70 Barnala Source: Personal Field Survey District Mansa Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Plates Katori(Bowl) Glass Plate &Katori Plates Katori(Bowl) Glass Plate &Katori Number 39 0 31 0 9 30 11 20 30 0 20 0 0 30 0 0 0 18 0 2 Percentage 100% 0% 100% 0% 23% 77% 35% 65% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 90% 0% 10%

SUGGESTIONS
While our survey showed that the MDM programme has been functioning properly in most of the schools surveyed. In most of the schools there is proper supply of food grain, availability of utensils for storage of food grain, construction of kitchen is also completed and proper arrangement of water for the students. But there is an urgent need to ensure availability of utensils for distributing meal and for releasing funds for cooking at the right time for the smooth running of the scheme. Thorough monitoring needs to be undertaken to ensure that the allotment for infrastructure like kitchen sheds, periodical replacement of cooking vessels etc. are effectively utilized.

CONCLUSIONS
This research was undertaken in the schools of two districts onmid-day meal points to the need for further

improvement in basic facilities such as good sitting arrangements and proper utensils for having lunch. As it has been revealed that there are irregularities in releasing of funds for mid-day meal. The schools are not receiving financial reimbursement on time. So, these problems need to be firmly resolved for greater success of mid-day meal.

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http://www.ssapunjab.org/sub%20pages/demoprofile.htm 12. SarvaShikshaAbhiyan, Punjab (2013), Educational Profile,Retrieved from

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