School mid-day meals: Despite teachers in debt, no decision to increase allocation

KOZHIKODE: With only a few weeks left for the start of the new academic year in the state, no decision to increase the allocation for children's mid-day meal scheme was taken in the meeting of teachers' union leaders called by the Education Minister. The rate is still as low as Rs 8 per child, which came into being in 2016. The organizations demand that the rates should be revised according to the increase in the price of essential commodities. The head teachers are worried about how they will provide lunch to the children at the current rates.

Around 29.5 lakh children are served in over 12,200 government-aided schools, including mid-day meals. There are head teachers who are in debt of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for feeding children for several years. There are people who are unable to pay their debts even after retirement. Despite many struggles, there was no result. The state is blaming the Centre and vice versa over the funds.

Eight years old rate

The rate was last revised in 2016. If there are 150 children, Rs.8 is allocated per child. If the number of children increases to 500, the allocated amount is Rs 7. The amount is Rs.6 above that. In 2016, the cost of 300 milliliters of milk per child was Rs.39, which has increased now. This has to be provided two days a week. Price per egg was Rs 3.15 in 2016. Now it has gone up to Rs.7. This should also be given in two days. The price of a gas cyliner has gone beyond Rs 1000 including service charge (Rs 420 in 2016). The price of vegetables and spices also increased.