Transcript Monitored - Mid Day Meal Scheme

Presentation on the major findings of Monitoring Institutes on
implementation of the MDM in Maharashtra State
i.
Name of the Monitoring Institution : CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION &
STUDIES (CDECS), JAIPUR
ii. Period of the report : 1st APRIL, 2013 TO 30th SEPTEMBER 2013
iii .
District’s name
Month and date of Visit
No. of Schools visited in each district
(Primary & Upper Primary Schools /
classes)
Primary
Schools
Upper
Primary
Schools
Others
Thane
4th September,2013 to
30th September, 2013
14
22
STCs- 0
KGBV-04
Nashik
4th September,2013 to
30th September, 2013
16
17
STC-04
KGBV-03
Mumbai
4th September,2013 to
11th October, 2013
15
20
STCs-05
Dhule
4th September,2013 to
30th September, 2013
25
10
STCs-05
1
Strength of MDM
MDM was served to children regularly in all the sample schools of 04
district.
Food grains were available in majority of sample schools where MDM
was prepared at school.
No discrimination (gender, caste and community) in cooking or
serving or seating arrangements has been observed.
Children were satisfied with the quantity of MDM in majority of sample
schools.
Children were satisfied with the quality of MDM in majority of sample
schools.
There was variety in the food served for MDM. This includes Khichdi
(with different pulses on different days), Rice, dal and vegetables,
Rice, dal and vegetables. The dal is prepared on various days of
different tastes i.e. without spices and only with heeng and rai (plain
dal). Thus, on every week days the menu is different with different dal
and vegetables.
District gets funds from the State largely on time.
2
Continue………….
Potable water and utensils were available in majority of the sample
schools for MDM preparation.
Rural schools have better MDM quality in comparison to Urban
areas.
Number of cooks and helpers was adequate to meet the
requirement of the school.
3
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICT
Strengths
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The government of Maharashtra is procuring and supplying ingredients through
Maharashtra State Cooperative Federation which is a State PSU.
The MDM Scheme is being run properly with the focus on its continuity in the field.
The quantity and quality of MDM is good
Under setting up of the Management structure at various levels, District committee has
been formed and its members are chief Executive officer, DEO, MDM superintendent
(AO) and MDM Superintendent posted at Block level. Monthly meeting of the district
committee is held.
At block level, the MDM Superintendent is in position and he/she does supervision of
MDM in the block and keeps record of rice, food grains, pulses, spices, edible oils
supplied to the schools in the blocks.
At school level records regarding rice, food grains, spices, edible oils, etc are being
maintained properly in a register. Daily attendance register of boys and girls is also being
maintained in the schools.
As per the govt. MOU, quality Agmark pulses, edible oils and other ingredients are
procured and supplied through the State Cooperative Consumer Federation to the
schools.
At district level, sample checking of rice, pulses, etc. is carried out through government
laboratories to ensure quality meal to children.
4
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICT
Weaknesses
• Procurement and supply system of rice to the Bachat ghats/schools is lacking in
regularity with the result that in some of the schools MDM is not prepared and served to
the children even for more than fifteen days. Sometimes, in some schools the schools
make arrangement of rice by borrowing it from some other schools. But it is not a good
practice. In fact, it shows that the system is to he improved and procurement and supply
must be ensured through continuous and comprehensive monitoring at all the levels.
• Superintendent MDM deployed at Block level has a lot of roles and responsibilities in the
block. He has to supervise all the schools in the block and see that MDM Scheme is
running smoothly. The area of the block is also big. So, looking to the roles and
responsibilities of ensuring procurement and supply of rice, food grains, spices, pulses,
edible oils, etc, he is to be strengthened by deploying at least one or two other persons.
• Tasting of the meal by at least one teacher/ SMC member is, in fact, a formality. It should
be given a practical shape by ensuring tasting of the meal at least by one teacher/ SMC
member in actuality. Only by writing the names of teachers/ SMC members in the
register as a formality, MDM scheme cannot run smoothly. Tasting of the meal by one
teacher/ SMC member in practice will be a very strong check against any untoward
incident in MDMS.
• As a precaution, it should be a general practice that the teacher concerned should sign
in the MDM register only on the day when he/she has tasted MDM before serving it to
the students.
5
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICT
Weaknesses
•
•
•
In some schools in district namely, JP primary school, Padladey, J.P. primary
school, Nimgul and in MNP 53 school (Urdu Medium) Mid Day Meal was not
prepared and served to the students for 15-20 days continuously because there
was no rice in stock in these schools. It shows some or the other problem in making
supply of rice to the schools in advance. Hence, it is suggested that there should be
proper monitoring of the procurement and supply of rice and other ingredients to
the schools/ Bachat ghat in time.
In some schools it was observed that the children eat full mid day meal and if some
part of it still remains unconsumed, they take it home. This is a bad practice and it
should be stopped by creating awareness among students, their parents &
members.
It was observed that in many schools, children brought their Tiffins with them and
used their home prepared food. A study should be made as to why these children
do so and as per the findings, some changes in the Menu of MDM can be made. In
Maharashtra, MDM includes rice and rice based items. The children may be
bringing chapattis made of maize, bajara or some other flour. So, on the basis of
findings of the study, changes can be made in the menu of MDM. Not only this, it is
also possible that the parents don’t have faith in the quality of MDM being served in
the school and that is why they send their children with Tiffins having their homemade food.
6
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICT
Weaknesses
•
•
•
•
•
Hence, awareness campaign should be launched in order to convince the parents and
the people in general about the good quality of MDM being supplied to the students in
the schools.
In practice, the cook-cum-helper is generally a woman and sometimes a widow and the
amount she gets is only Rs. 1000/= per month and if even such a small amount is not
paid to her in time, she may be demotivated to work and it may tell upon her workefficiency, too.
Capacity building of cook-cum-helpers and district resource persons for managing safety
of food grains and hygienic cooking has not be taken up and hence, such training
programmes should be conducted in order to improve the quality of MDM. Further, the
inspections of the MDM centers should be rationalized.
There is lack of awareness about MDM scheme among the stakeholders, particularly
children and community members. The Logo has not been painted on the outside wall of
the school at a prominent place. Even the entitlements have not been displayed at
prominent places for the awareness of children, parents and community members.
Review meetings at district level are not being convened regularly under the
chairmanship of M.P.
Social audit of the MDMS has not been carried out by any Institute and hence, it is
suggested to get it done as soon as possible. Then corrective steps should be taken as
per their suggestions.
7
Key Items
(Monitored )
1. Regularity in
serving meal
Major Achievements
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
Regularity in serving
MDM prepared and
hot cooked MDM in 100% supplied by NGO/
schools.
Bachat Ghatak was
Bachat Ghatak were
not hot.
playing an important role
in cooking at school
level.
8
Regularity in serving hot cooked MDM
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
9
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
1. Student
Enrollment- 30323
How all enrolled
Enrollment,
Attendance- 25374 (84%) children should take
attendance and
Children availing MDM
MDM.
children
as per MDM registeravailing MDM
24710 (97%)
Children actually
availing MDM on day of
visit-24571 (97%)
Children actually
availing MDM on the
previous day- 25292 (99%)
10
Student enrollment, Attendance and Children availing
MDM
Students enrolment, attendance and children availing MDM
35000
25000
Enrollment
20000
Children attendance on the day of visit
Children availing MDM as per MDM register
15000
Children actually availing MDM on the day of
visit
10000
Children actually availing MDM on the
previous day
5000
Total
Dhule
Nashik
Mumbai
0
Thane
no.of students
30000
11
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
1. Regularity in
Regularity availability
Quality of food
delivering Food of food grains for MDM grains should be
grain to School, in 96% schools.
improved.
Quality of Food
Availability of Buffer
grains
Stock for one month in
97% schools.
In majority of the
sample schools food
grains were of “A” quality
decided by FAQ
12
Regularity in Delivering food grains to Schools
Regular Supply of Food grains
Availability of Buffer stock of one month
35
35
35
33
33
33
30
30
25
25
24
20
Yes
No
15
no.of schools
no.of schools
25
20
Yes
No
15
10
10
5
1
5
4
2
NA NA
0
Thane
NA NA
0
0
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
0
Thane
13
Quality of Food Grains
Quality of food grains
Quality of Pulse
Quality of Pulse
Quality of food grains
Quality of Rice
Quality of Quality
food grainsof
Rice
14
Regularity in Delivering Cooking Cost
Regularity in delivering cooking cost to school
35
35
33
30
23
25
20
Yes
No
15
10
6
5
NA
NA
0
0
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
In all the sample schools of Mumbai district MDM is supplied by SHG. Thus, cooking
cost is not received by school.
15
Social Equity
Gender/Caste/Community discrimination in cooking/serving/seating arrangements
40
36
35
35
33
35
no.of schools
30
25
Yes
20
No
15
10
5
0
0
0
0
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
16
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
1. Feedback from
Children were satisfied
Children
on with quality of MDM in
quality
and 91% schools.
quantity
of Children were satisfied
MDM
with quantity of MDM in
93% schools.
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
Children demanded
chappti (wheat based
food)
Quality of MDM
should be improved
especially in schools
supplied by
NGO/SHG.
Also, quantity of
MDM should be
improved especially
in schools supplied
after cooking at their
kitchen (by
NGO/SHG).
17
Feedback from Children on Quality of meal
Children satisfaction with Quality of MDM
35
33
35
33
29
30
no.of schools
25
20
Yes
No
15
10
6
5
2
1
0
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
18
Feedback from Children on Quality of meal
MDM
Quality ofQuality
MDM of
prepared
at school
Quality of MDM
Quality of MDM
Quality of MDM
19
Feedback from Children on Quantity of meal
Children satisfaction with Quantity of MDM
40
36
27
30
no.of schools
34
33
35
25
Yes
20
No
15
8
10
5
0
1
0
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
20
Cooking/Serving MDM at School level
Cooking/Serving MDM at school
29
30
24
25
22
21
no.of schools
20
Cooks
14
15
11
10
11
NGO
SHG/ Bchat gat
7
5
0
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
21
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
Major
Actionable
points/
Critical
Points
1. Cooking/
Serving of MDM
at school,
Availability of
fuel for cooking
MDM, Status of
available
infrastructure
for MDM
In 31% schools MDM is prepared
in schools by Cooks of Bachat Gat
In 13% schools MDM is prepared
and supplied by NGO.
In 56% schools MDM is prepared
and supplied by Bachat Ghat.
Gas is used in 31% schools,
firewood in 69% schools.
In 98% schools potable water
available.
In majority of schools where
MDM was prepared at schools,
utensils used for cooking MDM
was adequate.
MDM
should be
cooked at
school level.
Serving
plate were
lacking in
few schools.
Cooking
utensils
were
supplied
which were
not in use.
22
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
1. Following
Safety
and
Hygiene,
Community
Participation
and MDM menu
In 34% schools
children encouraged to
wash hand before taking
MDM.
In 77% schools
children take meal in
orderly manner.
Hand washing
should be
encouraged amongst
students.
23
Following Safety and Hygiene
Following Safety & hygiene in the sample schools
29
30
27
26
25
25
no.of schools
20
Children encouraged to wash hand before
taking MDM
15
15
Children take meal in orderly manner
12
10
10
10
5
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
24
Safety and Hygiene
Hand washing among children
Children in order during MDM
Children washing their hands
Children in order during MDM
25
Availability of Fuel for cooking MDM
Gas used for MDM preparation
Firewood used for MDM preparation
Gas used for MDM preparation
26
Status of available infrastructure for MDM
Status of available infrastructures for MDM
35
30
25
no.of schools
Kitched shed cum store constructed
20
Kitched shed cum store constructed &in use
Availability of potable water
Availability of separate toilets
15
Availability of eating plates
10
5
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
27
MDM Menu
Weekly menu diplayed
35
33
33
33
33
35
35
30
no.of schools
25
20
Weekly menu displayed
Adherence to menu
15
15
10
6
5
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
28
Monitoring by MDM Officials
Monitoring by MDM Officials
34
33
33
35
30
27
32
26
23
25
no.of schools
21
State
20
16
District
14
15
Block
9
8
10
5
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
29
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
1. Monitoring by
In 34% schools MDM
MDM Officials
monitored by State
Officials.
In 70% schools MDM
monitored by District
Officials.
In 95% schools MDM
monitored by block
Officials.
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
Monitoring of MDM
especially by state
and district should be
held regularly.
Regular staff for
MDM at Block and
district level and may
be at State.
30
Perception of Teachers & headmaster about MDM Impact
Impact of MDM
35
30
34
28
32
29
29
25
25
25
29
29
24
no.of schools
22
23
20
Improved enrollment
Improved attendance
Improved well being
15
10
5
0
Thane
Mumbai
Nashik
Dhule
31
Key Items
(Monitored )
Major Achievements
1. Perception of
In 71% schools MDM
Teachers and improved enrollment.
Headmasters
In 76% schools MDM
about
MDM improved attendance.
impact
In 89% schools MDM
improved well being.
Major Actionable
points/
Critical Points
School Teachers /
Head teacher should
realized the
importance of MDM.
32
Area need improvement
Children with their Tiffin's
Children not in order while taking
MDM
Improvement in MDM Quality
Proper display of MDM menu
33
Challenges/ Suggestions
•
•
•
The Block Education Officer, MDM Superintendent and the centre incharge
visit a school once in two/three months and as such the number of MDM
scheme inspections in schools is 03/04 in one year. Hence, in order to
strengthen the MDMS, it is recommended that the frequency of inspections
should be increased and each and every school should be inspected at
least once a month by the Block/District Officers and twice/thrice a month by
the Centre Incharge. It will certainly improve the present position of the
scheme.
The Visits to schools in connection with MDMS seem to be less effective as
the recommendations and suggestions remain without any action taken at
the school level. It is recommended that Action Taken Report should
invariably be sent to the higher officials within a fortnight of receiving the
inspection report from the higher ups.
It has been observed that the tasting of the meal by at least one teacher/
SMC member is done as per record. However, while inspecting MDMS in
schools, it has been observed that the register is being maintained in the
school and the names of the teachers have been written in advance as per
the dates of the month. On a particular date the teacher concerned may
remain on leave. So, it is just a formality.
34
Challenges/ Suggestions
•
•
•
In SMC meetings discussions regarding MDM, non-payment of
remuneration to cook-cum helper and lack of food grains are held, but the
solutions of the problems are beyond their reach. So, it is imperative that
immediate action should be taken on the proposals/ recommendations sent
to the higher officials by the SMC.
It has been observed that the records regarding MDMS are maintained in
the schools, but they are just a formality as they do not indicate the actual
position. During the visits to schools, it was found that there was a lot of
difference in the quantity of the rice and food grains entered into the stock
registers and the actual stock in the schools. So, it needs rigorous
monitoring of the stocks in the schools. In the schools run by Municipal
corporations, rice and food grains are supplied as per the attendance of the
students. The records are also maintained as per the attendance of the
students. But in practice, the Bachat Ghat prepares MDM for 5 to 7 schools
in one school and supplies to the school upto 60% of the total attendance
on that particular day.
It is recommended that proper regular monitoring of MDM Scheme must be
done at all levels and ‘Action Taken Reports’ be sent to the higher ups
showing the actual improvement in the scheme. Quality inputs – Monitoring,
Supervision & Pursuance
35
Challenges/ Suggestions
•
•
•
It was observed that in the rural areas in tribal areas the children eat full Mid
Day Meal and if some part of it still remains unconsumed, they take it home.
Hence, the teachers and the members of SMC should discuss about the
habit of taking home the unconsumed MDM. Awareness meetings may be
held and efforts should be made to stop the habit of taking home the
unconsumed MDM. Parent-teacher meetings can also be held in this
connection and change in habit be brought by and by.
As per the MoU with Maharashtra State Cooperative Consumer Federation
and the Contractor, on the receipt of the demand letter, the supply of rice
and food grains is to be made within 20 days. But in actuality, sometimes,
the contractor fails to supply rice in time and as a result of it, problems crop
up in MDM Scheme.
It was told that agreement between the government and the contractor was
over on 30.11.12 and it was being extended every month. Even the demand
letter for August, 13 was sent to the district on 10.8.13. Thus, the regular
supply of MDM was affected. Looking to the present position, it is
recommended that agreement between the government and the contractor
should be made in time so that there may not be any problem in running
MDM scheme.
36
Challenges/ Suggestions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The system should be made so effective that the process takes place on
right time at all levels in order to make the payment of remuneration to the
cook-cum-helpers every month.
While having discussions with the district level Accounts officer, it emerged
that his role and responsibilities were too many for him to manage and
monitor MDMs in the field and as such at least two clerks should be
deployed in his office so that there may be smooth sailing in running the
scheme properly in the district.
Trainings to District/ Blocks and schools team on better management of
MDM.
Serving plates were less than the required nos. in majority of schools.
SMC should realize the importance of MDM.
Need to devise self driven system for MDM at Schools.
Quality of MDM should be improved especially in schools supplied by
NGO/SHG.
Studies may be given priority. Repeated highlights may improve the
scenario though – RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR MDM ONLY/ STUDIES/
EVALUATIONS.
EFFORTS ON MONITORING AT STATE, DISTRICT & BLOCKS SHOILD
BE MORE THAN/ DOUBLE THAN PLANNING A SCHEME.
37
Children taking MDM
Let ensure Quality MDM for Every
Child…….