Don’t inspect midday meals only at ‘convenient’ schools: Centre to state

Panaji: During the annual review of the midday meal scheme implementation in Goa, the Union education ministry’s project approval board (PAB) has expressed concern over 1,000 lesser student enrolments to avail the scheme in the state. It has also expressed concern over lower meal inspections being carried out in Goa.The PAB has stressed on the need for more inspections, including in schools in far-flung areas.“There is a decrease in coverage of at least 1,018 students from FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25. The secretary of the department of school education and literacy (DSEL) expressed deep concern over the reduction in enrolment and advised the state to review the reduction of enrolment and submit a report by June 30, 2025. The PAB said efforts may be made to ensure the coverage of all eligible students under the scheme,” the meeting minutes state.Through the daily online feedback system, the PAB noted that many schools have reported that meals could not be served due to non-availability of foodgrains to the self-help groups supplying the meals.It also expressed concern over lesser inspections being carried out. The additional secretary, DSEL, also cautioned the state that in many instances “only the conveniently located schools have been visited for monitoring purposes and the schools located in difficult terrain/far flung areas are rarely visited”.Therefore, the state should develop a mechanism to ensure that all schools are visited at least twice in a year, PAB has said. State govt said it has tested 12 meals samples of which 10 met norms. Goa has been asked to increase testing and also inform of the action taken against those who do not meet the prescribed quality of meals.