MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

SYNOPSIS

MID DAY MEALS AND ITS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT

OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE
(A Study on Government Schools of Patna District)

Runni Kumari

Dr Bharat Bhushan

Research Scholar

Assistant Professor
Department of

Economics
Magadh University,
Bodh Gaya

SYNOPSIS

Supervisor

MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The concept of mid-day meal scheme is not new in India as its roots can be traced
back to pre-independence era when British administration initiated a Mid Day Meal
Programme for disadvantage children in Madras Municipal Corporation in 1925. Like
this many such programmes were initiated in different states. In 1953, Government of
Uttar Pradesh started another such scheme. Tamil Nadu became the first state in India
to introduce a noon meal programme in primary schools. In 1984 this scheme was
introduced in Gujarat. From time to time the meal scheme was taken up by different
states and later on it was taken up as a national scheme.
Ministry of Human Resource Developments Mid Day Meal Scheme is the largest
school feeding programme in the world reaching out to about 12 crore children in
more than twelve lakhs primary and upper primary schools (Government,
Government Aided and Local bodies), National Child Labour Project (NCLP)
schools, EGS/AIE centres and Madrasas and Maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan. A programme of such a large scale and magnitude requires close monitoring
and evaluation at all levels. The current system of review and monitoring being
manual in nature involves significant time lag leaving scope of manipulation/
distortion. Also there is absence of detailed and exception reports required by the state
and centre to help find reasons of shortcomings in scheme implementation and timely
resolving the same. To address the gaps in the current system and ensure real time
monitoring of Mid Day Meal Scheme, the Department of School Education &
Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt of India, through National
Informatics Centre (NIC) is developing a detailed mechanism for reporting of data

SYNOPSIS

and monitoring of the scheme across the country. Through this RFP a Service
Provider is to be selected to provide IVRS/SMS service for purpose of collecting the
daily and periodic data from various respondents regarding the progress of the
scheme for reporting through the (Management Information System)MIS solution
being developed.
Government of India launched National Programme of Nutritional Support to
Primary Education (Commonly known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme) on August 15,
1995 to provide mid-day meal to the children studying at primary stage. In 2002, the
Supreme Court directed the Government to provide cooked Mid-Day Meals (as
apposed to providing dry rations) in all Government and Government aided primary
schools. It was revised in September 2004 and in September 2006.
2.0

LITERATURE REVIEW

Mid Day Meal Scheme is a welfare scheme of the Govt. of India, implemented
through the State Governments and is the largest lunch program in the world.
Consequently, a scheme of such scale with detail and budgetary allocation to the tune
of about Rs. 10,000 crore for the whole of India annually, requires a stringent
monitoring system. This is a crucial requirement, as the economics of the scheme
reveals that even a small increase at any one point would escalate the total costs to a
great extent.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme in schools has a long history in India. In 1925, Mid-Day Meal
Program was introduced for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal
Corporation. By the mid-1980s three States and a UT (i.e. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu and Pondicherry) had universalized the cooked Mid-Day Meal Program with

MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

their own resources for children studying at the primary stage. Mid-Day Meal was
also provided to children in Tribal Areas in some States like Madhya Pradesh and
Orissa. By 1990-91 the number of States implementing the mid-day meal program
with their own resources on a universal or a large scale had been increased to twelve,
covering the States, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. In another three
States, namely Karnataka, Orissa and West Bengal, the program was implemented
with the State resources in combination with international assistance. Another two
States, namely Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan were implementing the program
entirely with international assistance.
With a view to enhancing enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously
improving nutritional levels among children, the National Program of Nutritional
Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme on 15th August 1995, initially in 2408 blocks in the country. By the year
1997-98 the NP-NSPE was introduced in all blocks of the country. The Mid-day Meal
involves provision of lunch free of cost to school-children on all working days at all
the schools which are enrolled for this scheme under ministry of Human Resource &
Development. Under the scheme, every child in schools covered under the scheme is
provided with a prepared mid day meal with minimum content of 450 calories of
energy and 12 grams of protein each day of school for primary students.
The States make their individual Annual Work Plan & Budget (AWP & B), and
submit the same to the MHRD for approval and fund allocation. The Project Approval
Board (PAB) deliberates on the AWP & B and approves the funds for the state, and

SYNOPSIS

the state further allocates the same to the districts. The district authorities inform the
local Food Cooperation of India (FCI) Godown regarding the schedule for lifting
food grains. The lifting (transportation) agency lifts the food grains from the FCI, and
conveys the same to the schools/cooking centers. The schools are also given cooking
cost for other ingredients, fuel, as well as Cook cum Helper honorarium for cooking
the food and serving it to the students on school working days. At some places food is
cooked by NGOs and served as packaged food to school students.
COVERAGE IN MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME
MDMS covered 7.18 crore primary school children and 3.36 crore upper primary
school children in 2010 - 11. The coverage of children in the States of Bihar (43
percent), UP (57 percent) and Jharkhand (58 percent) is below the national average of
72 percent, whereas it is well above the national average in Chhattisgarh (83 percent)
and Odisha (82 percent). Based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget of the
States/UTs for the year 2012 - 13, the district-wise performance of the MDMS in all
the States/UTs has been analysed and the poor performing districts (144) have been
identified for focused attention. Of the poor performing districts, 17 are in areas
affected by the Left Wing Extremism (LWE); 11 in the North Eastern States (Tripura 3, Meghalaya - 4, Assam - 4); 17 in tribal districts, and 13 in the hilly areas
(Uttarakhand - 4, Jammu & Kashmir - 9).
Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country (between 83 30' to 88 00'
longitude). Bihar is the 12th largest State and 3rd most populated State in India. Bihar
lies mid-way between West Bengal in the east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh in the
west, which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and

MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

culture. It is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south (which was
earlier part of the state and became independent state in 2001). River Ganga flows
from west to east intersecting Bihars plains into two uneven parts. The state has very
ancient history of epicenter of power during Guptas and Mauryas and became
powerful land of culture, art and painting which exist even today in the form of
Madhubani. Learning institutes like Nalanda University, Takshashila and Vikramshila
existence goes dates back to 3rd century BC which clearly shows its fertile land of
spreading knowledge of various disciplines, religions and cultures. For over 1000
years, ancient Bihar known as Magadha played a pivotal position in leading political
power on the land of India.
Post independence the economy of Bihar was never as good as it is today. Recent
statistics on state income has revealed that there has been a comprehensive
improvement in the economy of Bihar. The state has witnessed a high growth rate at
11.95 percent during the Eleventh Plan period (2007-12). The investment pattern also
shows a massive upsurge - the average annual plan size was Rs. 4,200 crore during
the Tenth Plan period (2002-07) which has become more than Rs. 16,200 crore during
the Eleventh Plan period. The estimated GSDP of Bihar at current prices in 2011-12 is
Rs.
2.53 lakh crore which raises the per capita income to Rs. 25, 653. Agriculture and
Animal Husbandry sector in Bihar was a mere 2.99 percent in 2002-07; that has
significantly climbed to 5.93 percent during 2007-12. This fact needs special mention
as 90 percent of the state's population depends upon agriculture for their livelihood.
Guidelines for preparation of nutritious and economical Mid- Day Meal:

SYNOPSIS

The Mid-Day Meal programme does not merely aim to provide a cooked meal, but
one satisfying prescribed nutritional norms. At the same time, this has to be done
within certain cost norms. Following are some suggestions which would help in
achieving the twin-objectives:

Food grains must be stored in a place away from moisture, in air tight
containers/bins to avoid infestation.

Use whole wheat or broken wheat (dalia) for preparing mid-day meals.

Rice should preferably be parboiled or unpolished.

Single Dish Meals using broken wheat or rice and incorporating some
amount of a pulse or soybeans, a seasonal vegetable/green leafy vegetable,
and some amount of edible oil will save both time and fuel besides being
nutritious. Broken wheat pulao, leafy khicheri, upma, dal-vegetable bhaat are
some examples of single dish meals.

Cereal pulse combination is necessary to have good quality protein.

The cereal pulse ratio could range from 3:1 to 5:1.

Sprouted pulses have more nutrients and should be incorporated in single dish
meals.

Leafy vegetables when added to any preparation should be thoroughly washed

before cutting and should not be subjected to washing after cutting.

Soaking of rice, dal, bengal gram etc. reduces cooking time. Wash the grains
thoroughly and soak in just sufficient amount of water required for cooking.

MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

Rice water if left after cooking should be mixed with dal if these are cooked
separately and should never be thrown away.

Fermentation improves nutritive value. Preparation of idli, dosa, dhokla etc.

may be encouraged.

Cooking must be done with the lid on to avoid loss of nutrients.

Over cooking should be avoided.

Reheating of oil used for frying is harmful and should be avoided.

Leafy tops of carrots, radish, turnips etc should not be thrown but utilized in
preparing mid day meals

3.0

Only iodised salt should be used for cooking mid-day meals.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objectives of this study are mentioned below:

To enhance the enrollment, retention and attendance of student
To improve the Nutritional Status of children enrolled at Primary and Upper
Primary Level in Government/ Local body/ Government aided schools, EGSs
and AIE Centers including Madarasas/Maktabs.
To motivate children belonging to disadvantaged sections to attend primary
schools regularly and help them to concentrate on school and classroom
activities.

SYNOPSIS

To provide Nutritional Support to children of primary stage in drought

affected areas in summer vacation, thereby ensuring their continued interest in
schooling.
Improve socialization among castes
3.1

HYPOTHESIS OF THIS STUDY

(a)

H1 (P) : The enrollment of students in Government school is having direct

relation with mid day meal. .
H1 (N) : The enrollment of students in Government school is not having
relation with mid day meal.

(b)

H2 (P) : The Nutritional Support to students in Government school is agreed

as a measure of mid day meal.
H2 (N) : The Nutritional Support to students in Government school is not
agreed as a measure of mid day meal.

4.0

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The study is based on primary and secondary data. The secondary data will be
collected from the offices of Director Elementary Education and District Elementary
Education Offices/District Project coordinator of Patna district. Besides discussion
were also held with the Officers/Officials implementing this scheme.
Sample size:

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MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

The sample size will be consist of 400 (approximately) beneficiaries who covered
under the mid day meal scheme.
Method for data collection:
The primary data for the study will be collected by administering a structured and
non-distinguished questionnaire to the respondents.
The secondary data on the mid day meal scheme will be collected through various
Journals, Govt. Statistics and publication, books, newspapers and websites.
Data Analysis: All the collected information will be tabulated and analyzed using
averages, percentages, bar graphs and pie-charts. On the basis of the analysis
necessary findings and recommendations will be drawn and suggestions will be made
to key agencies for betterment of mid day meal scheme. Further remedial measures
will be suggested for overcoming constraints, if any.
Areas of Study
The area of the present study will be Patna, which is capital dis tric t of Bihar
State.
Limitations of Study

The sample will be confined to 400 respondents. So this study cannot be regarded
as full -proof one.

The findings and conclusions will be based on knowledge and experience of the
respondents sometime may subject to bias.

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SYNOPSIS

5.0

PROPOSED CHAPTER SCHEME

Chapter-1

Introduction

Chapter-2

Review of Literature

Chapter-3

Objective and Research Methodology

Chapter-4

Data Collection

Chapter-5

Findings and Analysis

Chapter-6

Recommendations and conclusion

Appendices and Annexures

7.0 REFERENCE/BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Economic Times, 03.08.2013, Article by Urmi Goswami.
India. Rajya Sabha, Department Related Parliament Standing Committee on
Human Resources Development, 191st Report on Implementation of Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan, and Mid-Day Meal. Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 2007.
op.cit, Department Related Parliament Standing Committee on HRD 191st
Report.
India. Ministry of Human Resources & Development, Deptt. of Higher
Education & Literacy, Annual Report 2011-12.
India, Planning Commission Draft Twelfth Five-Year Plan 2012-17.

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MID DAY MEALS AND IS IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT FO STUDENTS

SCHOOLS OF BIHAR STATE

op.cit, Annual Report 2011-12.

India 2013, a reference annual.
An Article dated 03.08.2013 by Ramandeep Kaur at www.mapsofindia.com.
www.mdms.nic.in
www.7thsurvey.ncert.nic.in
www.mapsofindia.com
www.prsindia.org

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