By Kanta Kaveri Sonowal, Guwahati, December 24: The Mid- Day Meal Scheme introduced by Government of India indeed a positive step considering the necessity of school going children is concerned. The implementation of this scheme throughout the State of Assam has also touched significant height in recent times.
According to official sources, more than 4 lakh students have been covered under the scheme in Dhubri (290 km away from capital city Guwahati) district of Assam. Out of those near about 3 lakhs students are from Lower Primary Schools and over 1 lakh students from Upper Primary Schools. According to 2001 census total population of the district is 16, 37,344 with a population density of 577 per Sq. km.
Mid- Day Meal scheme; the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education has been considered as largest school nutritional programme across the globe that covers nearly 12 crore children over 12.65 lakh schools/ Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) throughout the country. This hot cooked meal contains minimum 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein.
Protecting children from classroom hunger and increasing school enrolment are two of the prime objectives of this scheme. Sources said indeed the State has touched significant height in this regard.
Though this scheme has a long history as far as its implementation across the country (India) is concerned, it’s been revised during September 2004 and has been considered as one of the flagship programmes of Central government.
Written by
Kanta Kaveri Sonowal, a Guwahati based freelance journalist
An interesting write up