Kolkata: The Alipurduar district administration recently undertook a week-long special drive for monitoring quality of mid-day meals in schools of the district. The special drive — 'Poshan Nirikshon' — involved inspection of 57 schools across 6 blocks of the district.
The checking criteria covered as many as 28 parameters earmarked by the district administration covering issues such as menu board being displayed, headmaster tasting the food before serving, utensils and toilet availability etc. The drive was conducted after complaints regarding quality of the midday meal were received from schools.
"We hope this programme will be instrumental in protecting children from classroom hunger, increasing school enrollment and attendance," a senior official of the district administration said.
Due to an acute staff crunch at Sub-Inspector level, the district administration initiated the special drive where officers of collectorate acted as supplementary inspecting officers. "The team will be giving us a feedback and on the basis of which measures will be taken for improvement," the official added. According to sources, infrastructure deficits such as faulty handpumps, lack of separate toilets, boundary wall in schools, lack of dining space, absence of eggs in meals were found in a number of schools after the team interacted with a number of students. "On the basis of the feedback, we have directed the BDO's in charge of the respective schools to complete the task of putting the remedial measures on a war footing.
We have also showcaused a number of teachers, who have been found to be deviating from the required standard," the official added.
The initiative will gradually cover all the 1,635 schools of the district.