Move to involve school HMs in MDM management stirs hornet’s nest June 06, 2011 7:35:38 AM

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Move to involve school HMs in MDM management stirs hornet’s nest
June 06, 2011 7:35:38 AM

SUDHIR MISHRA | Balangir

The recent decision of the Odisha Government to hand over the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme to School and Mass Education Department from Women and Child Development Department with a view to run it smoothly and avoid corruption has evoked reactions among social activists and teachers.

As per the recent development, the Government decision on the MDM, a joint bank account would be opened in the name of the headmaster and SHG or SMC member where the money will be deposited for MDM management.

MDM management in school is a difficult task. Ultimately, it will create problems for the study in school children, said social activists Khuturam Sunani of Khariar.

“An another important thing is to involve school head masters for management of the MDM is violation of Article 27 of RTE-2009 which states no teacher shall be deployed for any non-educational purposes other decennial population census, disaster relief duties or duties relating to election to the local authority or the State legislature or Parliament,” pointed out Sunani further.

At least one teacher in each primary/upper primary school would be engaged and this would affect the education imparting process in the schools, pointed out Bijaya Bisoi, a teacher.

Achyut Das, a leading social activist and representative of Odisha for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) too echoed the same concern.

“It appears to be violation of RTE Act to involve teachers in the MDM management. I would draw the attention of the NCPCR in the matter”, he said.
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