ALLAHABAD: In order to ensure
quality mid-day meal (MDM) to children of more 3,500 school, the education
department has decided to collect random samples of the meal served to children
under the scheme. These samples would be sent for laboratory tests. District
magistrate, Allahabad, Raj Shekhar said "principals and gram pradhans are
responsible for the quality of food to be served to children under the
scheme." He added that both principals and gram pradhans would supervise
the preparation of meals and taste it before being served to children.
He further said that gram pradhans and principals would ensure that the meal was prepared in hygienic conditions and encourage students to wash their hands before eating the meal. Claiming that these exercises were initiated to strengthen mid-day meal's management in schools, he said that the set norms had to be complied with under all circumstances. Basic Shikla Adhikari has already fixed the role and responsibilities of gram pradhans, corporators, principals and quota holders.
Besides, block development officer (BDO) and block education officer (BEO) have been asked to inspect at least five and 10 schools on weekly basis. The MDM scheme was currently available in over 3,500 schools of the district and stress was being laid on regulating the procurement of food grains and other materials. The food has to be tested by at least a teacher and a member of the school management committee dominated by parents. Officials made it clear that efforts were underway to ensure social auditing of the scheme. Basic shiksha adhikari, Allahabad, PK Sharma said "though no complaint has been received, efforts are being made to check the food quality." He added "we plan to collect food samples for laboratory tests to ascertain the quality of food being served to children".
Meanwhile, insiders said "it is not an easy task to collect sample and send it for laboratory test to Lucknow or Varanasi. Authorities concerned are consulting officials of FDA (Food & Drug Administration) regarding the checking of food quality." Meanwhile, grams pradhans have been asked to get 'A' grade rice and high quality wheat from the quota holders and ensure that beneficiaries were served quality food. Gram pradhans have been asked to procure fresh vegetables, sealed edible oil, pulses and Agmark spices and iodized salt. Besides, the food should be prepared on LPG.
More importantly, principals have been asked to maintain MDM register and enroll entries like number of children present, quantity of articles used for preparing mid-day meal etc on daily basis.
School authorities have also been asked to keep the area clean and maintain quality and safety of food. Schools would have to maintain monthly report card of every student's health status and weight. Children should be offered meal as per the menu. Block development officer or officer concerned has to be informed if mid-day meal is not served to children due to some reasons.
He further said that gram pradhans and principals would ensure that the meal was prepared in hygienic conditions and encourage students to wash their hands before eating the meal. Claiming that these exercises were initiated to strengthen mid-day meal's management in schools, he said that the set norms had to be complied with under all circumstances. Basic Shikla Adhikari has already fixed the role and responsibilities of gram pradhans, corporators, principals and quota holders.
Besides, block development officer (BDO) and block education officer (BEO) have been asked to inspect at least five and 10 schools on weekly basis. The MDM scheme was currently available in over 3,500 schools of the district and stress was being laid on regulating the procurement of food grains and other materials. The food has to be tested by at least a teacher and a member of the school management committee dominated by parents. Officials made it clear that efforts were underway to ensure social auditing of the scheme. Basic shiksha adhikari, Allahabad, PK Sharma said "though no complaint has been received, efforts are being made to check the food quality." He added "we plan to collect food samples for laboratory tests to ascertain the quality of food being served to children".
Meanwhile, insiders said "it is not an easy task to collect sample and send it for laboratory test to Lucknow or Varanasi. Authorities concerned are consulting officials of FDA (Food & Drug Administration) regarding the checking of food quality." Meanwhile, grams pradhans have been asked to get 'A' grade rice and high quality wheat from the quota holders and ensure that beneficiaries were served quality food. Gram pradhans have been asked to procure fresh vegetables, sealed edible oil, pulses and Agmark spices and iodized salt. Besides, the food should be prepared on LPG.
More importantly, principals have been asked to maintain MDM register and enroll entries like number of children present, quantity of articles used for preparing mid-day meal etc on daily basis.
School authorities have also been asked to keep the area clean and maintain quality and safety of food. Schools would have to maintain monthly report card of every student's health status and weight. Children should be offered meal as per the menu. Block development officer or officer concerned has to be informed if mid-day meal is not served to children due to some reasons.
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