SMCs to ensure hygienic mid-day meals in schools

NEW DELHI: The School Management Committees (SMC) of Delhi government schools are working to ensure hygienic and clean mid-day meals for students in schools.

The move comes after a number of complaints were reported recently against the quality of mid-day meals.

In a shocking case this month, many students fell ill after having such meal, after reportedly a lizard was found wandering around the area where the meal was being prepared.

"In the past three years, the Delhi government has ensured that each government school has an active and functional School Management Committee (SMC). This week on 19th July these SMCs fulfilled one of their important responsibilities of ensuring that hygienic and adequate quantity of mid-day meals is served in schools," said a statement from the government.

It added that SMCs are an example of participatory governance under which parents, teachers, social workers and local MLAs form an elected body that helps govern the schools. Delhi government has worked in the past three years to empower the SMC members and educate them about their roles and responsibilities.

When in the ast few months there were complaints regarding the mid-day meals in government schools, in its response the SMCs decided to conduct a check of the food quality and quantity served in schools.