The Hindu : Karnataka News : Not many takers for midday meals

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Monday, Jan 07, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Not many takers for midday meals

V. Paneesha

Cooks from backward communities is seen as a reason

Government spends Rs. 1.61 and Rs. 2.13 for each primary and high school student respectively
About 13625.72 quintals of rice has been released for 2006-07 under the scheme

CHAMARAJANAGAR: There seems to be very poor patronage to the midday meal scheme launched by the State Government in the district. According to official statistics, a total of 7,360 children have not turned up for midday meals at schools in Chamarajanagar district since 2006.

The State Government implemented the Akshara Dasoha scheme (midday meal scheme) during the tenure of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.

The scheme was extended to high school students from last year. The main objective of the scheme was to improve attendance in schools and to reduce the drop out rate.

Initially, the scheme showed good results. But unfortunately, the caste factor hindered the scheme from becoming popular in rural areas of the district.

Cooks

The Government appointed cooks under the scheme from the Dalit and other backward communities.

This was seen as one of the reasons for parents of children from the majority community not sending their children to take midday meals in schools.

The Government released 13625.72 quintals of rice for the year 2006-07 for the scheme.

Of them, only 13355.82 quintals of rice has been used and 1170.02 quintals of rice has not been utilised.

The Government is spending Rs. 1.61 for each primary school student and Rs. 2.13 for each high school student under the scheme.

According to statistics available with the Department of Public Instruction, Chamarajanagar, a total of 86,076 children had taken midday meals, while 6,260 children did not turn up for midday meals at various schools in the district in 2006 because of reasons such as sickness, migration of parents and general absence from schools.

For the year 2007-08, a total of 1.08 lakh (58,058 students from primary schools and 23,377 students from high schools) students had been served midday meals in Chamarajanagar district.

However, 7,360 students have still not turned up for midday meals in schools in the district.

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