Half Yearly MDM Monitoring Report in the 5 Half Yearly MDM Monitoring Report in the 5 Sampled Districts of Bihar during 1Sampled Districts of Bihar during 1stst January 2010 – January 2010 –

3131stst August 2010 August 2010

MI Coordinator: Dr. Shoeb Abdullah, MI Coordinator: Dr. Shoeb Abdullah, Reader Faculty of Education, Director Reader Faculty of Education, Director

SRC, JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA, SRC, JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA, NEW DELHI - 110025NEW DELHI - 110025

Functionality of MDMFunctionality of MDM

MDM is functional in 91% of the schools in the MDM is functional in 91% of the schools in the districts. Out of 10394 schools MDM is districts. Out of 10394 schools MDM is functional in 9440 (90.82%) schools.functional in 9440 (90.82%) schools.

MDM is function in 100% schools of Araria, MDM is function in 100% schools of Araria, Kishanganj and Madhubani while it is functional Kishanganj and Madhubani while it is functional in 68.25% schools of Bhagalpur and 94.81% in 68.25% schools of Bhagalpur and 94.81% schools of Purnea.schools of Purnea.

No untoward incident is reported regarding No untoward incident is reported regarding MDM in the sample districts.MDM in the sample districts.

Though MDM is operational in most schools in all five Though MDM is operational in most schools in all five districts . But the scheme is not continuously districts . But the scheme is not continuously operational in all the schools because rice is not operational in all the schools because rice is not available in all schools which adversely affect the available in all schools which adversely affect the regularity and also attendance of children.regularity and also attendance of children.

In the district of Kishanganj, supply of rice by FCI was In the district of Kishanganj, supply of rice by FCI was irregular due to delay in clearance of cheques by banks.irregular due to delay in clearance of cheques by banks.

In Madhubani and Purnea, supply of rice by FCI is In Madhubani and Purnea, supply of rice by FCI is more erratic more erratic

Regularity in Serving MealRegularity in Serving Meal

Regularity in delivering food grainRegularity in delivering food grain Out of 102 schools in Araria, 82 (80.4%) schools have reported that they are Out of 102 schools in Araria, 82 (80.4%) schools have reported that they are

receiving food grains regularly, 20 (19.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, 20 (19.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.

Out of 116 schools in Bhagalpur, 86 (74.1%) schools have reported that they are Out of 116 schools in Bhagalpur, 86 (74.1%) schools have reported that they are receiving food grains regularly, 30 (25.9%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, 30 (25.9%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.

Out of 98 schools in Kishanganj, 52 (53.1%) schools have reported that they are Out of 98 schools in Kishanganj, 52 (53.1%) schools have reported that they are receiving food grains regularly, 46 (46.9%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, 46 (46.9%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.

Out of 160 schools in Madhubani, 111 (69.4%) schools have reported that they are Out of 160 schools in Madhubani, 111 (69.4%) schools have reported that they are receiving food grains regularly, 49 (30.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, 49 (30.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.

Out of 106 schools in Purnea, 82 (77.4%) schools have reported that they are Out of 106 schools in Purnea, 82 (77.4%) schools have reported that they are receiving food grains regularly, 24 (22.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, 24 (22.6%) schools have reported that they are not receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.receiving food grains regularly, as rice has not been delivered to schools.

Buffer Stock MaintainedBuffer Stock Maintained

In all the districts, schools have reported that In all the districts, schools have reported that they have maintained one month buffer stock.they have maintained one month buffer stock.

39 (38.2%) schools in Araria, 30 (25.9%) 39 (38.2%) schools in Araria, 30 (25.9%) schools in Bhagalpur, 15 (15.3%) schools in schools in Bhagalpur, 15 (15.3%) schools in Kishanganj, 21(13.13%) schools in Madhubani Kishanganj, 21(13.13%) schools in Madhubani and 37 (34.9%) schools in Purnea have reported and 37 (34.9%) schools in Purnea have reported that they have not maintained buffer stock.that they have not maintained buffer stock.

Regularity in Delivering Cooking Costs Regularity in Delivering Cooking Costs

65 – 75% schools of the sampled districts 65 – 75% schools of the sampled districts have reported to receive cooking costs in have reported to receive cooking costs in advance regularly.advance regularly.

In case of delay 16 – 20% schools have In case of delay 16 – 20% schools have opted to close MDM whereas 2 – 5% opted to close MDM whereas 2 – 5% schools have stated to manage through schools have stated to manage through other funds or with the help of VSSother funds or with the help of VSS

Social EquitySocial Equity

In all the sampled schools MI observed that a In all the sampled schools MI observed that a social equality is maintained among children social equality is maintained among children during MDM preparation, distribution and during MDM preparation, distribution and intake.intake.

No school has reported any discrimination on No school has reported any discrimination on the basis of gender, caste or disability.the basis of gender, caste or disability.

Quantity and Quality of MDMQuantity and Quality of MDM

Almost all the students, teachers and parents have Almost all the students, teachers and parents have expressed their satisfaction with the quality and expressed their satisfaction with the quality and quantity of MDM. MI observed the happiness on quantity of MDM. MI observed the happiness on the faces of children after taking MDM.the faces of children after taking MDM.

The students were not satisfied where NGOs were The students were not satisfied where NGOs were serving the meal. The meal was not served hot serving the meal. The meal was not served hot and quantity was also less as observed at MS and quantity was also less as observed at MS Chaklaghat in the district of Kishanganj as the Chaklaghat in the district of Kishanganj as the quantity of rice and Dal supplied by NGO Dayawati quantity of rice and Dal supplied by NGO Dayawati Educational and Charitable Society was not Educational and Charitable Society was not sufficient for 750 students present on the day of sufficient for 750 students present on the day of visitvisit

Is it possible to feed 750 students from Is it possible to feed 750 students from the quantity shown below?the quantity shown below?

Menu of MDMMenu of MDM

90% of the sampled schools have displayed the weekly 90% of the sampled schools have displayed the weekly menu either on wall board or on chart paper.menu either on wall board or on chart paper.

More than 80% students, 78% teachers and 78% parents More than 80% students, 78% teachers and 78% parents of 582 sampled schools have stated that there is variety of 582 sampled schools have stated that there is variety in the food service and same food is not served daily.in the food service and same food is not served daily.

In some of the (5%) sampled schools students In some of the (5%) sampled schools students complained that khichri is served daily from the last complained that khichri is served daily from the last week.week.

Micronutrients and De worming Micronutrients and De worming medicines medicines

Only 25 – 30% of the sampled schools have Only 25 – 30% of the sampled schools have stated the micronutrients and de worming stated the micronutrients and de worming medicines have been givenmedicines have been given

These medicines are mostly administered These medicines are mostly administered by the teachers and not by the medical by the teachers and not by the medical practitionerspractitioners

Health card is not maintained most of the Health card is not maintained most of the schools. Only 5% to 8% sampled schools schools. Only 5% to 8% sampled schools have reported to initiate health card.have reported to initiate health card.

Status of CookStatus of Cook

In 33% of sampled schools cook belong to In 33% of sampled schools cook belong to SC/ST category, in 18% of schools, the cook SC/ST category, in 18% of schools, the cook belong to minority community. belong to minority community.

In 62% of schools cooks and helpers were In 62% of schools cooks and helpers were women.women.

Remuneration of cook varies from Rs. 1000/ pm Remuneration of cook varies from Rs. 1000/ pm to Rs.2200/pmto Rs.2200/pm

Many cooks complained that remuneration is too Many cooks complained that remuneration is too less to support family.less to support family.

Fuel UsedFuel Used

In 82% of the sampled schools wood is used In 82% of the sampled schools wood is used as fuel, cooking coal is used in 11% and gas as fuel, cooking coal is used in 11% and gas is in 13 (2%) schools. 5% schools have not is in 13 (2%) schools. 5% schools have not mentioned the type of fuel. mentioned the type of fuel.

Status of Kitchen ShedStatus of Kitchen Shed

In most of the sampled schools (65-70%), Pucca In most of the sampled schools (65-70%), Pucca Kitchen shed is constructed. In 7-10% schools Kitchen shed is constructed. In 7-10% schools pucca shed construction is in progress.pucca shed construction is in progress.

Food grain is stored either in classrooms or in Food grain is stored either in classrooms or in HM office where pucca shed is not constructed.HM office where pucca shed is not constructed.

SuggestionsSuggestions

The distribution system through FCI needs a The distribution system through FCI needs a regular monitoring.regular monitoring.

The quality of rice, wheat and pulses to be The quality of rice, wheat and pulses to be checked at FCI godown.checked at FCI godown.

The central Kitchen by NGO should be located The central Kitchen by NGO should be located in the vicinity of schools and should not exceed in the vicinity of schools and should not exceed a radius of 5 kilometers.a radius of 5 kilometers.

MDM works should preferably be given to VSSMDM works should preferably be given to VSS