Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala MDM in Kerala April – September 2014 Dr. C. Gasper Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 05-12-2018

Display of Logo MDM Logo is found MDM is given in Private aided & Govt. schools 05-12-2018

1. Regularity in serving meal: Hot cooked meal is distributed to all students Begins by the second day of schools’ reopening No interruption during the course of year Given during exam days too. 05-12-2018

2. TRENDS: Extent of variation extent of variation is ignorable between: -Enrolment & no. of children opted for MDM, -no. of children attended school on visit day & no. of children actually availed meals, - No. of children availing MDM as per MDM register & no. of children availed MDM on visit day = > 99 %; are ignorable. 05-12-2018

3. Supply of food grains to school: Food grains – rice – comes from Mavali store every month; It is delivered at school; school bears transportation cost; about one-month’s requirement of rice is maintained as buffer stock; All other items are purchased by the school using the cooking cost; no complaint about quality of rice or other items quality of rice is found to be good 05-12-2018

4. cooking cost to school: Cooking cost in 2 advanced instalments: -first 6 months’ (June – November) in May -2nd instalment in November e-transfer from DPI to AEO in Blocks; e-transfer from AEO to school a/c (HM); HM spends money & then draw from bank a/c after settling a/c every month; This is a problem to some, not all; For they borrow from shops 05-12-2018

In many schools, teachers distribute food; 5. SOCIAL EQUITY: No discrimination on basis of –gender, caste or community in cooking or serving or seating arrangements in school; In many schools, teachers distribute food; children collect food from them in line Mostly school veranda is used for dining. In some schools, distribution in classrooms; In some schools, renovated hall for dining. 05-12-2018

schools have weekly menu & follow it. It is in head teacher’s office; 6. VARIETY OF MENU: schools have weekly menu & follow it. It is in head teacher’s office; not displayed on notice board in some; SMC involves in preparation Consults VEC. provided for variety; food differs from day to day. meal consists: cooked rice + a curry + a side dish. Milk, eggs & banana given 05-12-2018

7. QUALITY & QUANTITY OF MEAL : Feedback from children on Quality of meal: good Quantity of meal: adequate children are happy with the food 05-12-2018

Free health check-up is organized once in a year 8. SUPPLEMENTARY: Free health check-up is organized once in a year health personnel from local PHC visits school occasionally children are given micronutrients (Iron, folic acid, vitamin-A dosage) & de-worming medicine; but not periodically Health Card is not visible in schools 05-12-2018

Cooks and helpers are available at schools 9. STATUS OF COOKS: Cooks and helpers are available at schools paid regularly; maximum remuneration Rs.200 they are mostly women social composition: Mostly from backward classes; 1/4 from SC/ST Are above 50 years of age. 05-12-2018

separate & good kitchen available 10. INFRASTRUCTURE: separate & good kitchen available grains stored in a room in school building potable water for cooking & drinking purposes All schools have adequate utensils for cooking Mostly firewood is used in cooking LPG gas in some schools; used for boiling milk Old kitchens, constructed some years ago, Hence renovation required in many. 05-12-2018

Cooking is quite safe & in hygienic condition 11. SAFETY & HYGIENE: Cooking is quite safe & in hygienic condition Cooking shed is away from classrooms Fire extinguishers available: But not every teacher cooking process & storage of fuel are safe & not posing any fire hazard Fire extinguishers are available in schools. Children wash hands after eating. children stand in line to collect the food. take meals in an orderly manner. instructed to conserve water. 05-12-2018

12.COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION & AWARENESS: SMC members visit & support –varies MLA, MP funds, NGOs –lions’ club 13. INSPECTION & SUPERVISION -nodal officer for each district available Ensure interaction between school & nodal officer: Use available resources, eg., water purifiers 05-12-2018

Concluding observations: -documentation –record of all activities in one -consists of day to day activities: 1) all grants – MDM, MLA, Panchayat 2) SMC meetings, suggestions. 3) all inspections & visitors’ observations 4)special activities, eg. School day celebration 5) PHC/CHC visits & micronutrients medicines 6) medical exam conducted & participation 7) Requests or proposals – made or granted 05-12-2018

-HMs relieved of teaching, -in-charge for MDM -MME fund: steps to utilise - to make school health programme more effective – height –weight measurements 05-12-2018

Thanks 05-12-2018