Karnataka Officials to Evaluate Midday Meal System
Karnataka education officials have been instructed to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a “cluster kitchen centre” system for providing midday meals in government schools across the state. This evaluation is prompted by a request from the Government Primary School Teachers’ Association.
Reason for the Review
The association highlighted the significant workload currently placed on teachers, who are responsible for procuring groceries, milk, vegetables, eggs, and bananas, as well as supervising food preparation and distribution. They also manage records through the Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS) and Nirantara app, and are frequently deployed for census and other non-academic duties, such as the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Proposal for Cluster Kitchens
The association proposes shifting midday meal preparation to cluster-level kitchen centres. These centres would be managed by organizations like associations, self-help groups, or Stree Shakti Sanghas. This shift would relieve teachers of these responsibilities, allowing them to focus more on their primary role of teaching.
Existing Implementation
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including ISKCON’s Akshaya Patra and Adamya Chetana, are already operating cloud kitchens or cluster kitchens in urban centers like Bengaluru and Hubballi to supply midday meals. The proposed system mirrors this approach.
Next Steps
Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) in all districts have been asked to examine the proposal. The outcome of this evaluation will determine the future of midday meal preparation in Karnataka’s government schools.
Source: The Hindu. Featured image credit: The Hindu.
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