strength of mdm
DESCRIPTION
1. Strength of MDM. MDM was served to children regularly in all the sample schools of 04 district. Food grains were available in majority of sample schools where MDM was prepared at school. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
1
Presentation on the major findings of Monitoring Institutes on implementation of the MDM in Maharashtra State
i. Name of the Monitoring Institution : CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION & STUDIES (CDECS), JAIPUR
ii. Period of the report : 1st APRIL, 2013 TO 30th SEPTEMBER 2013
iii . District’s name
Month and date of Visit No. of Schools visited in each district (Primary & Upper Primary Schools / classes)
PrimarySchools
Upper Primary Schools
Others
Thane 4th September,2013 to 30th September, 2013
14 22 STCs- 0KGBV-04
Nashik 4th September,2013 to 30th September, 2013
16 17 STC-04KGBV-03
Mumbai 4th September,2013 to 11th October, 2013
15 20 STCs-05
Dhule 4th September,2013 to 30th September, 2013
25 10 STCs-05
2
Strength of MDM
MDM was served to children regularly in all the sample schools of 04 district.
Food grains were available in majority of sample schools where MDM was prepared at school.
No discrimination (gender, caste and community) in cooking or serving or seating arrangements has been observed.
Children were satisfied with the quantity of MDM in majority of sample schools.
Children were satisfied with the quality of MDM in majority of sample schools.
There was variety in the food served for MDM. This includes Khichdi (with different pulses on different days), Rice, dal and vegetables, Rice, dal and vegetables. The dal is prepared on various days of different tastes i.e. without spices and only with heeng and rai (plain dal). Thus, on every week days the menu is different with different dal and vegetables.
District gets funds from the State largely on time.
3
Continue………….
Potable water and utensils were available in majority of the sample schools for MDM preparation.
Rural schools have better MDM quality in comparison to Urban areas.
Number of cooks and helpers was adequate to meet the requirement of the school.
4
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICT
Strengths• The government of Maharashtra is procuring and supplying ingredients through
Maharashtra State Cooperative Federation which is a State PSU.• The MDM Scheme is being run properly with the focus on its continuity in the field.• The quantity and quality of MDM is good• Under setting up of the Management structure at various levels, District committee has
been formed and its members are chief Executive officer, DEO, MDM superintendent (AO) and MDM Superintendent posted at Block level. Monthly meeting of the district committee is held.
• At block level, the MDM Superintendent is in position and he/she does supervision of MDM in the block and keeps record of rice, food grains, pulses, spices, edible oils supplied to the schools in the blocks.
• At school level records regarding rice, food grains, spices, edible oils, etc are being maintained properly in a register. Daily attendance register of boys and girls is also being maintained in the schools.
• As per the govt. MOU, quality Agmark pulses, edible oils and other ingredients are procured and supplied through the State Cooperative Consumer Federation to the schools.
• At district level, sample checking of rice, pulses, etc. is carried out through government laboratories to ensure quality meal to children.
5
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICTWeaknesses • Procurement and supply system of rice to the Bachat ghats/schools is lacking in
regularity with the result that in some of the schools MDM is not prepared and served to the children even for more than fifteen days. Sometimes, in some schools the schools make arrangement of rice by borrowing it from some other schools. But it is not a good practice. In fact, it shows that the system is to he improved and procurement and supply must be ensured through continuous and comprehensive monitoring at all the levels.
• Superintendent MDM deployed at Block level has a lot of roles and responsibilities in the block. He has to supervise all the schools in the block and see that MDM Scheme is running smoothly. The area of the block is also big. So, looking to the roles and responsibilities of ensuring procurement and supply of rice, food grains, spices, pulses, edible oils, etc, he is to be strengthened by deploying at least one or two other persons.
• Tasting of the meal by at least one teacher/ SMC member is, in fact, a formality. It should be given a practical shape by ensuring tasting of the meal at least by one teacher/ SMC member in actuality. Only by writing the names of teachers/ SMC members in the register as a formality, MDM scheme cannot run smoothly. Tasting of the meal by one teacher/ SMC member in practice will be a very strong check against any untoward incident in MDMS.
• As a precaution, it should be a general practice that the teacher concerned should sign in the MDM register only on the day when he/she has tasted MDM before serving it to the students.
6
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICTWeaknesses
• In some schools in district namely, JP primary school, Padladey, J.P. primary school, Nimgul and in MNP 53 school (Urdu Medium) Mid Day Meal was not prepared and served to the students for 15-20 days continuously because there was no rice in stock in these schools. It shows some or the other problem in making supply of rice to the schools in advance. Hence, it is suggested that there should be proper monitoring of the procurement and supply of rice and other ingredients to the schools/ Bachat ghat in time.
• In some schools it was observed that the children eat full mid day meal and if some part of it still remains unconsumed, they take it home. This is a bad practice and it should be stopped by creating awareness among students, their parents & members.
• It was observed that in many schools, children brought their Tiffins with them and used their home prepared food. A study should be made as to why these children do so and as per the findings, some changes in the Menu of MDM can be made. In Maharashtra, MDM includes rice and rice based items. The children may be bringing chapattis made of maize, bajara or some other flour. So, on the basis of findings of the study, changes can be made in the menu of MDM. Not only this, it is also possible that the parents don’t have faith in the quality of MDM being served in the school and that is why they send their children with Tiffins having their home-made food.
7
FINDINGS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT IN DHULE DISTRICTWeaknesses
Hence, awareness campaign should be launched in order to convince the parents and the people in general about the good quality of MDM being supplied to the students in the schools.
• In practice, the cook-cum-helper is generally a woman and sometimes a widow and the amount she gets is only Rs. 1000/= per month and if even such a small amount is not paid to her in time, she may be demotivated to work and it may tell upon her work-efficiency, too.
• Capacity building of cook-cum-helpers and district resource persons for managing safety of food grains and hygienic cooking has not be taken up and hence, such training programmes should be conducted in order to improve the quality of MDM. Further, the inspections of the MDM centers should be rationalized.
• There is lack of awareness about MDM scheme among the stakeholders, particularly children and community members. The Logo has not been painted on the outside wall of the school at a prominent place. Even the entitlements have not been displayed at prominent places for the awareness of children, parents and community members.
• Review meetings at district level are not being convened regularly under the chairmanship of M.P.
• Social audit of the MDMS has not been carried out by any Institute and hence, it is suggested to get it done as soon as possible. Then corrective steps should be taken as per their suggestions.
8
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Regularity in serving meal
Regularity in serving hot cooked MDM in 100% schools.
Bachat Ghatak were playing an important role in cooking at school level.
MDM prepared and supplied by NGO/ Bachat Ghatak was not hot.
Regularity in serving hot cooked MDM
9
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
Children taking MDM
10
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Student Enrollment, attendance and children availing MDM
Enrollment- 30323 Attendance- 25374
(84%) Children availing MDM
as per MDM register- 24710 (97%)
Children actually availing MDM on day of visit-24571 (97%)
Children actually availing MDM on the previous day- 25292 (99%)
How all enrolled children should take MDM.
Student enrollment, Attendance and Children availing MDM
11
12
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Regularity in delivering Food grain to School, Quality of Food grains
Regularity availability of food grains for MDM in 96% schools.
Availability of Buffer Stock for one month in 97% schools.
In majority of the sample schools food grains were of “A” quality decided by FAQ
Quality of food grains should be improved.
13
Regularity in Delivering food grains to Schools
Quality of Food Grains
14
Quality of Pulse Quality of Rice
Quality of Pulse Quality of RiceQuality of food grains
Quality of food grainsQuality of food grains
Regularity in Delivering Cooking Cost
In all the sample schools of Mumbai district MDM is supplied by SHG. Thus, cooking cost is not received by school.
15
Social Equity
16
17
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Feedback from Children on quality and quantity of MDM
Children were satisfied with quality of MDM in 91% schools.
Children were satisfied with quantity of MDM in 93% schools.
Children demanded chappti (wheat based food)
Quality of MDM should be improved especially in schools supplied by NGO/SHG.
Also, quantity of MDM should be improved especially in schools supplied after cooking at their kitchen (by NGO/SHG).
Feedback from Children on Quality of meal
18
Feedback from Children on Quality of meal
19
Quality of MDM prepared at school
Quality of MDM
Quality of MDMQuality of MDM
Quality of MDM
Feedback from Children on Quantity of meal
20
Cooking/Serving MDM at School level
21
22
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable
points/Critical Points
1. Cooking/ Serving of MDM at school, Availability of fuel for cooking MDM, Status of available infrastructure for MDM
In 31% schools MDM is prepared in schools by Cooks of Bachat Gat
In 13% schools MDM is prepared and supplied by NGO.
In 56% schools MDM is prepared and supplied by Bachat Ghat.
Gas is used in 31% schools, firewood in 69% schools.
In 98% schools potable water available.
In majority of schools where MDM was prepared at schools, utensils used for cooking MDM was adequate.
MDM should be cooked at school level.
Serving plate were lacking in few schools.
Cooking utensils were supplied which were not in use.
23
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Following Safety and Hygiene, Community Participation and MDM menu
In 34% schools children encouraged to wash hand before taking MDM.
In 77% schools children take meal in orderly manner.
Hand washing should be encouraged amongst students.
Following Safety and Hygiene
24
Safety and Hygiene
25
Children washing their hands
Children in order during MDM Children in order during MDM
Hand washing among children
Availability of Fuel for cooking MDM
26
Firewood used for MDM preparationGas used for MDM preparation
Gas used for MDM preparation
27
Status of available infrastructure for MDM
MDM Menu
28
Monitoring by MDM Officials
29
30
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Monitoring by MDM Officials
In 34% schools MDM monitored by State Officials.
In 70% schools MDM monitored by District Officials.
In 95% schools MDM monitored by block Officials.
Monitoring of MDM especially by state and district should be held regularly.
Regular staff for MDM at Block and district level and may be at State.
Perception of Teachers & headmaster about MDM Impact
31
32
Key Items(Monitored )
Major Achievements Major Actionable points/
Critical Points
1. Perception of Teachers and Headmasters about MDM impact
In 71% schools MDM improved enrollment.
In 76% schools MDM improved attendance.
In 89% schools MDM improved well being.
School Teachers / Head teacher should realized the importance of MDM.
Area need improvement
33
Children with their Tiffin's Children not in order while taking MDM
Proper display of MDM menu
Improvement in MDM Quality
34
Challenges/ Suggestions
• The Block Education Officer, MDM Superintendent and the centre incharge visit a school once in two/three months and as such the number of MDM scheme inspections in schools is 03/04 in one year. Hence, in order to strengthen the MDMS, it is recommended that the frequency of inspections should be increased and each and every school should be inspected at least once a month by the Block/District Officers and twice/thrice a month by the Centre Incharge. It will certainly improve the present position of the scheme.
• The Visits to schools in connection with MDMS seem to be less effective as the recommendations and suggestions remain without any action taken at the school level. It is recommended that Action Taken Report should invariably be sent to the higher officials within a fortnight of receiving the inspection report from the higher ups.
• It has been observed that the tasting of the meal by at least one teacher/ SMC member is done as per record. However, while inspecting MDMS in schools, it has been observed that the register is being maintained in the school and the names of the teachers have been written in advance as per the dates of the month. On a particular date the teacher concerned may remain on leave. So, it is just a formality.
35
Challenges/ Suggestions
• In SMC meetings discussions regarding MDM, non-payment of remuneration to cook-cum helper and lack of food grains are held, but the solutions of the problems are beyond their reach. So, it is imperative that immediate action should be taken on the proposals/ recommendations sent to the higher officials by the SMC.
• It has been observed that the records regarding MDMS are maintained in the schools, but they are just a formality as they do not indicate the actual position. During the visits to schools, it was found that there was a lot of difference in the quantity of the rice and food grains entered into the stock registers and the actual stock in the schools. So, it needs rigorous monitoring of the stocks in the schools. In the schools run by Municipal corporations, rice and food grains are supplied as per the attendance of the students. The records are also maintained as per the attendance of the students. But in practice, the Bachat Ghat prepares MDM for 5 to 7 schools in one school and supplies to the school upto 60% of the total attendance on that particular day.
• It is recommended that proper regular monitoring of MDM Scheme must be done at all levels and ‘Action Taken Reports’ be sent to the higher ups showing the actual improvement in the scheme. Quality inputs – Monitoring, Supervision & Pursuance
36
Challenges/ Suggestions
• It was observed that in the rural areas in tribal areas the children eat full Mid Day Meal and if some part of it still remains unconsumed, they take it home. Hence, the teachers and the members of SMC should discuss about the habit of taking home the unconsumed MDM. Awareness meetings may be held and efforts should be made to stop the habit of taking home the unconsumed MDM. Parent-teacher meetings can also be held in this connection and change in habit be brought by and by.
• As per the MoU with Maharashtra State Cooperative Consumer Federation and the Contractor, on the receipt of the demand letter, the supply of rice and food grains is to be made within 20 days. But in actuality, sometimes, the contractor fails to supply rice in time and as a result of it, problems crop up in MDM Scheme.
• It was told that agreement between the government and the contractor was over on 30.11.12 and it was being extended every month. Even the demand letter for August, 13 was sent to the district on 10.8.13. Thus, the regular supply of MDM was affected. Looking to the present position, it is recommended that agreement between the government and the contractor should be made in time so that there may not be any problem in running MDM scheme.
37
Challenges/ Suggestions
• The system should be made so effective that the process takes place on right time at all levels in order to make the payment of remuneration to the cook-cum-helpers every month.
• While having discussions with the district level Accounts officer, it emerged that his role and responsibilities were too many for him to manage and monitor MDMs in the field and as such at least two clerks should be deployed in his office so that there may be smooth sailing in running the scheme properly in the district.
• Trainings to District/ Blocks and schools team on better management of MDM.
• Serving plates were less than the required nos. in majority of schools.• SMC should realize the importance of MDM. • Need to devise self driven system for MDM at Schools.• Quality of MDM should be improved especially in schools supplied by
NGO/SHG.• Studies may be given priority. Repeated highlights may improve the
scenario though – RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR MDM ONLY/ STUDIES/ EVALUATIONS.
• EFFORTS ON MONITORING AT STATE, DISTRICT & BLOCKS SHOILD BE MORE THAN/ DOUBLE THAN PLANNING A SCHEME.
Let ensure Quality MDM for Every Child…….
Children taking MDM