In the second part of the series on Herald’s ground reports on the mid-day meal scheme, we move on to schools in Thivim and Sirsaim to get a feel of ‘what’s cooking’
VIBHA VERMA
THIVIM/SIRSAIM: The scene at schools in Thivim and Sirsaim is no different from Ponda where Parents Teachers Associations (PTA) are not bothered to supervise and ensure that their children are given quality mid-day meals. The students on the other hand are also craving for a change in the menu, wanting something other than pav bhaji and pulao that is served all the days of the week.
Principal of Government Primary School at Thivim Dipti D Phadke concedes that there is a lack of interest by parents, but is quick to mention the meal is tasted before it is served to students.
“Either a teacher or myself taste the food before serving it to children. If the food is not good, we return it to the concerned self help group,” she said.
The school of 40 students has failed to get cooperation from the parents, most of whom are migrants and daily wage labourers. Phadke said the matter has been reported to the Education Department seeking action. “We call parents to taste the food, which is mandatory as per the new rule of the government, on daily basis. One parent per day is enough but they don’t take any responsibility,” she rued.
St Anne’s High School too faces a similar situation where teachers and the headmistress take the responsibility.
“The PTA is not monitoring the daily mid-day meal. They are not active. Ninety per cent of the parents — both father and mother — are working. But those who can still make it to the school don’t want to travel,” Headmistress Sister Joycee T told this reporter. The aided school fortunately had no bad experience with the food supplied by SHG Rastroli.
The concerned heads of the institution are of the opinion that parents should not complain about sub-standard food if they don’t want to take any responsibility.
“When there are cases of food poisoning in any school, the parents come forward blaming the school and government,” Phadke, who claimed the school was fortunate not to face any meal poisoning case so far, said.
The parents don’t mind counter-signing on the register, which goes to the Education Department for the release of money to the respective SHGs. Most of the time, the remarks are given as ‘satisfactory.’
While the students enjoy the mid-day meal served to them, they prefer additional food items like flavoured milk and fruits. Moreover, from pav bhaji and pulao served every four and two days a week, respectively; the children prefer pav-bhaji. “Pav bhaji is the best. Pulao is oily. But we eat both.” Santosh Pawar, Class VI student of government primary school said.
Salina Jadhavi wants different food items in the current menu. “There has to be something more than just pav-bhaji. Milk and fruits will do,” she said.
The schools say that ‘sheera’ which was earlier served was the wasted because by the time, it would reach the schools for serving, it would turn cold. “Students did not like to eat sheera. But the dogs did. The compound would be filled with dogs,” Sister Joycee said.
