Empowering School Communities: Mid-Day Meal Protection Committees and Interest-Free Loans
In a move to ensure the uninterrupted provision of mid-day meals for students, the Department of Education has mandated the establishment of mid-day meal protection committees in all schools with social participation. These committees are to comprise the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president and a representative from the alumni organization. One notable directive allows schools to seek interest-free loans to sustain the lunch scheme, with the responsibility of loan repayment falling on the principal once government funds for the mid-day meal program are disbursed.
To safeguard against potential delays in the central allocation of mid-day meal funds, Shanavas S, the Director of General Education, emphasized the crucial role of the protection committees in overseeing the program’s successful implementation. The committees are also tasked with exploring local resource mobilization to enhance the quality of meals by incorporating additional dishes. Recognizing the importance of timely financial support, the committees are authorized to secure interest-free loans from parents, alumni, and civic leaders in case of government funding delays. Moreover, the Department of General Education has granted permission for schools to accept Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds as sponsorship for the implementation of a breakfast plan.
The structure of the protection committees includes the ward member as the guardian, with the principal serving as the convenor. Other members comprise the PTA president, senior teacher, chairman of the school management committee, mother PTA president, and a representative from the alumni association. To ensure comprehensive coverage, it is strongly recommended that these committees be established in all schools by the stipulated deadline of November 30. This initiative aims to empower school communities and enhance the overall effectiveness of the mid-day meal program.
