The Sentinel: Wokha (Nagaland): Wednesday,
February 15, 2017.
An RTI has
found that the Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme is not being properly implemented in
Nagaland. In a response to an RTI filed by ST Yapang Lkr in March, 2016, the
Director, First Appellate Authority for the Directorate of School Education,
Government of Nagaland stated that every school going child in the primary
sector on every school working day is to be provided with MDM. “The guideline
for the scheme is to provide hot cooked meal with 450 calories and 12g of
protein to every child at Primary level and 700 calories and 20g of protein to
Upper Primary level,” he said.
However, in a
letter to the authorities, ST Yapang Lkr stated that no school in Mokokchung
district has been found practicing the MDM guidelines provided by the
Government and has asked for the authorities to furnish details if there are
any schools that follow the guidelines.
The RTI had
also enquired the quantity of rice and the number of days for which the MDM was
provided in the year 2011-2012 to 2014-15. However, it was found that Sub
Divisional Education Officers under Mokokchung district could not answer the
question.
ST Yapang Lkr
maintained that if the Department is unable to furnish details of the same
within 10 days, a second appeal will be filed. Lkr noted that it would be beneficial
for the people and society as a whole if schools could discuss the matter with
the public if provisions supplied for MDM are not sufficient or if the supplies
for each student are not provided according to the guidelines of the State
Government.
Lkr also said
that in order to investigate such malpractices, a facebook group was made and
some important and trustworthy people assigned to find out more.
.JPG)
.JPG)
