TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Don’t compromise on quality and increase the amount per student to provide quality food to students under the mid-day meal scheme was the refrain of members of the PTA and headmasters here on Saturday.
At the taluka-level interaction between PTA members, headmasters and officials of the education department hosted by the Goa Education Development Corporation, parents and teachers underlined the need for quality cooked food supplied to school children.
While pav bhaji appeared an instant hit with the PTA members, there were no takers for pulav and sheera. However, many a parent suggested that the pav bhaji should not only comprise of grams, but mixed vegetables as well.
A couple of teachers suggested that the cooked food should be tested at source and not in school. A teacher pointed out that what teachers at most can do is taste the food, but would not be in a position to point out any insect or other items inside the food. “Even if an insect is found inside a food container, we may not be affected because of our immune system. What about the children? Just because we have tasted the food that does not mean, we cannot be hauled up for any laxity,” remarked a teacher, while saying that the food should be tasted at the place of origin.
OSD to the Chief Minister, Sitaram Naik, later said the objective behind the exercise was to invite suggestions and inputs from parents and teachers. “The whole purpose behind this exercise is to obtain feed back from stake holders before the government brings about changes in the scheme. We have so far covered eight talukas and have received a host of suggestions from parents and teachers on how to improve the scheme. We have also received suggestions laying stress on monitoring the scheme to ensure that children receive quality food,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is open to the question of reviewing the rate per student if the need arises. “Though the mid-day meal scheme is a central government scheme, the state chips in 25 per cent of the amount,” Naik added.
Deputy Director of Education, Ramkrishna Samant, Assistant Director (Vocational Education) Rose De Souza, besides other education officials, attended the programme.
