BY: DR. ROMESH CHAND, NODAL OFFICER, SSA/MDM, DEPTT. OF EDUCATION, HPU SHIMLA-5 MONITORING REPORT ON MID DAY MEAL SCHEME IN THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. Regularity in serving of meals: In hundred percent of the sample schools, it was observed that cooks were cooking the food and it was served hot to the children in the recess period. The same routine is followed each day as confirmed from the students. There is no interruption in the serving of MDM on any day of the week

2. Extent of variation Key items ShimlaSirmourKinnaurKangraMandiChamba Total enrolmen t N%N%N%N%N%N% No. opting MDM Attendan ce on visit day Availing MDM as per MDM register Head count availing MDM Previous day

2. Extent of variation: The above Table indicates the variation of 10.37,9.06,0.10, 6.60 and 1.29 percent between the number of children present on the day of visit and the number of children availing MDM as per MDM register in the districts of Shimla, Kinnaur, Kangra, Mandi and Chamba. A variation of 10.62, 1.87, 8.30, 3.18, 6.16, and 3.29 percent was observed between the MDM register and actual number of children availing MDM 1.35, 1.87, 0.00, 3.08, 6.16 and 2.04 percent children were observed not taking MDM in the schools of districts Shimla, Sirmour, Kinnaur, Kangra, Mandi and Chamba respectively.

3.Regularity in delivering food grains at school level: Majority of the sample schools reported the delivery of the food grains regularly. majority of the schools, buffer stock of one month was maintained. Quantity of food grains was reported to be as per the marked/indicated weight except in two schools of i.e. GPS Shilli and GMS Sail; GPS Nathpa of Distt. Kinnaur and 1 school GSSS Palampu of Kangra.

In Majority of the sample schools, the food grains are delivered at school level. Poor quality of food grains was reported in GPS Kohbag (Shimla), GMS Ratti (Mandi) and GSSS Kihar (Chamba) only and in other sample schools, the food grains were of quality

4. Regularity in delivering cooking cost: Majority of schools of the sample schools visited by MI team were receiving the cooking cost in time regularly. The extent of delay was reported to be one to three months. In case of delay, either the schools borrow from the local market or the head teacher and teachers pool money to avoid any disruption in the feeding programme. The schools were receiving the cooking cost though e- transfer and cash.

5. Social Equity During cooking and serving of MDM and sitting arrangement for taking MDM by the children, no discrimination was observed on the basis of gender, caste or class in any of the sample schools of the districts taken for monitoring. The cook along with helper and also helped by the students and teachers such as GPS Barog, GSSS Shillai, GPS Chaura, GSSS Kothi and GCPS Pooh, serve MDM to all the students on tat-patties in the verandahs of the schools and on the grounds of the school and in the classrooms

6. Variety of Menu Activity Frequency ShimlaSirmourKinnaurKangraMandiChamba Menu displayed Menu not displayed The menu was displayed in 37, 25, 33, 36, 35 and 26 sample schools of districts Shimla, Sirmour, Kinnaur, Kangra, Mandi and Chamba whereas in rest of the schools, the menu was not displayed on the notice boards of the schools. The deciding authority for the menu is head teacher, teachers, SMC members and BRC/DIET officials in most of the sample schools of these districts.

7.Variety in the food served and inclusion of rice and wheat etc. in daily meal: All the sample schools serve variety of food to the children as observed by the MI team and verified from the students’ parents, SMC members and teachers. All the sample schools visited by MI team serve rice, different dals, curry, vegetables mixed with rice variably on different days as per menu and sweedish like chawal or kheer and halwa once a week. There is no wheat preparation. MI team also the MDM itself in the sample schools.

8.Quality and quantity of meal as per the feedback from the students: As per inputs received from children and observed by the MI, while having MDM itself in the visited sample schools, all the students were satisfied with the quality of MDM prepared. All the students were satisfied with the quality of meal served to them. Some children expressed that they cannot take rice regularly, it was suggested by them that chapatties with vegetables and other items should also be provided. However, teachers opined that it is not possibledue to insufficient time, budget and manpower as it would take long time to prepare chapatties for the students and hot of them cannot be served to the children. MDM on one day of the week should not be of sweet rice only. Sweet rice can be given with the salty MDM

9. Supplementary: Maintaining health cards for each child: ResponsesShimlaSirmourKinnaurKangraMandiChamba NNNNNN Yes No Health cards of children had been maintained in 15, 13, 28, 11, 12 and 27 schools whereas these were not maintained in rest of the schools of the districts namely Shimla, Sirmour, Kinnaur, Kangra, Mandi and Chamba respectively. Hundred percent of the visited sample schools, the teams of the health departments from the local dispensaries did the health check up of the students. The frequency of the health check up was half yearly and quarterly.

Micronutrients: Micronutrient ShimlaSirmourKinnaurKangraMandiChamba NNNNNN Iron Folic Acid Vitamin-A De worming It is evident that in majority of the schools of Shimla district, micronutrients had been administered where as in other districts, the miconutrients were not administered in majority of the sample schools.

10.Status of cooks: The MDM is cooked and served by the cook and cook- cum-helper in all the visited schools. The cook and helpers have already been appointed by school mangement and village education committees three /four years back The schools have adequate number of cooks and helpers appointed to meet the requirements of the schools as per the requirements of GOI norms. All the cooks and helpers working in different sample schools are being paid Rs. 1000/- per month remuneration in cash. It is regularly paid in some of the schools whereas in others there is a delay of two to three months in payment.

Social composition of cooks and helpers: CategoryShimlaSirmourKinnaurKangraMandiChamba SC ST OBC Minority General Total The cooks cum helpers are working in the schools as per the constitution of the population in the habitations of the schools.

11.Infrastructure: In majority of the schools, pucca kitchen sheds have been constructed and were in use. In a few, these were under construction. In such cases, one of the classroom/home science lab was used. Potable water is available in all the schools for cooking and drinking purpose. The utensils were available for cooking food in all the schools, but they were reported to be inadequate in some of the schools.

12. Kind of fuel used: In almost all the schools, LPG is used. In case of its non- availability, fuel wood is also used in the schools. In the schools of Chamba district, where LPG is not available, kerosene stoves are used for cooking of food.

13. Safety and hygiene: In majority of the schools, the environment, safety, hygiene and cleanliness was fair. The teachers were directing the students to wash their hands before and after taking meals. All the children were observed to be taking MDM in an orderly manner except a few schools. The MI did not observe wastage of water in any of the sample schools. There are no fire Hazards in any of the schools. However, the stove and LPG cylinder were kept at the level as it was felt convenient to place heavy utensils.

14. Community Participation: The Pradhan and community members were reported to come daily for supervising MDM. However, it was observed that in majority of the schools no roster has been maintained. The interaction with the parents revealed that they are with the quantity of MDM/child, entitlement of and type of nutrients in the MDM. The level of awareness about the implementation of was of satisfactory level. The main sources of awareness about MDM were the teachers and the students where the child is studying.

15. Inspection and Supervision: The inspection of the MDM programme by the state level officials was not satisfactory. However, district/block/CRC level officials inspect the MDM in frequently in the schools. The visits of the state level officials are once in a year. Properly maintained records were not available to observe the remarks given by the inspecting officials.

16. Impact: 1. Increase in enrollment and attendance before and after recess. 2. Improvement in nutritional status of the children. 3. Enhancement in social cohesion. 4. Employment to weaker sections of the community.