Evaluation of quality of food under MidDayMealScheme

Page: 01-06

Mona Vij (Ramgarhia College of Education, Phagwara, Punjab) Sawinder Arora
(G.N. College of Education for Women, Kapurthala, Punjab )

Education is a process through which a child is made capable to attain the necessary competencies and skills to face the challenges in life to survive, and to make struggle for existence. Four important factors are identified for achieving the goal of education all these are access to education, enrolment of children, retention of the enrolled children and achievement. MidDayMealScheme is an effort to achieve and facilitate all above four objectives. Scheme is introduced by the govt. to provide lunch free of cost to school children on all working Days. The present study is related to the evaluation of MidDayMealScheme in elementary schools in Punjab. It focused on to study the role of MidDayMealScheme on student’s Enrolment and attendance rate, to examine the quality of food available under MidDayMealScheme in elementary schools of Kapurthala district. It is concluded from the study that it has positive impact in enhancing enrolment and attendance but still it is not the only reason for high enrolment as well there is still need for improvement in quality of food in MDM Scheme. Nutritious value of food can be improved if we avoid excessive wash of food, less exposure of vegetables to air as well as avoid overheating. Students can get healthy and fresh food if proper clean utensils will be available and proper cleanliness be maintained in school.