Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain

1. Observations of the Monitoring Institution - Madhya PradeshBased on 2nd Half Yearly MDM Monitoring Report - 2009-10 Period of Report 1st February - 31st July, 2010 Professor Sandeep Joshi Director Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain and Nodal Officer SSA-MDM Monitoring, Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain

2. Districts Monitored and Dates of Visits to the Districts

3. Variations in the attendance of students in previous day as compared to attendance on day of visit was significantly visible in all districts. No. Details Dhar Jabalpur Day previous To date of visit On the Day of Visit Day previous To date of visit On the Day of visit 1. Enrollment 18937 (100%) 18937 (100%) 16861 (100%) 16861 (100%) 2. No. of children attending the school 14511 (76.6%) 12545 (66.2%) 10965 (65.0%) 11012 (65.3%) 3. No. of children availing MDM as per MDM Register 14511 (76.6%) 13079 (69.0%) 10965 (65.0%) 11032 (65.4%) 4. No. of children actually availing MDM on the day of visit 14511 (76.6%) 12545 (66.2%) 10965 (65.0%) 11012 (65.3%) Trends – extent of variation

4. Regularity in Delivering Foodgrains to School Level • In maximum schools of all districts food grains under MDM scheme was found to be delivered regularly. • Similarly the buffer stock for the period of one month was being maintained in majority of schools visited by MI.

5. Social Equity • No discrimination on the basis of gender, caste or community was observed in cooking, serving or seating arrangements in the sampled districts.

6. Variety of Menu • Weekly menu was displayed in majority of the schools in all the sampled districts. • As far as serving of different variety of food is concerned very few schools could adhered to it. • In Katni 44 percent schools provided different varieties of meals to students.

7. Quality & Quantity of Meal • The quality of meals was reported unsatisfactory by many schools, as children were not satisfied with the quality of meals prepared. In 38 per cent schools of Katni district the students were not at all satisfied with the quality of food. • As far as quantity of meals is concerned majority of students were satisfied with it. In 92 percent sampled schools of Dhar district the students were satisfied with the quantity of food.

8. Supplementary • In Jabalpur it was found that only in 26 per cent primary and in 34 per cent middle schools micro-nutrients and de-worming medicine were given to the children periodically, whereas in 90 per cent primary and in 88 per cent middle schools of Indore districts micro-nutrients and de-worming medicine were given to the children. • Only in 4 percent primary and 14 percent middle schools health cards of students were made and maintained in Indore district. Situation was not satisfactory in other districts as well.

9. Status of Cooks • In majority of sampled schools (95-100 per cent) the MDM was being made available by the Self Help Groups especially in rural areas. In schools located in urban areas NGOs were engaged in cooking activities. • It has been observed that in most of the schools the Cook was from underprivileged category. The percentage of such cooks was lowest in Jabalpur district (84 per cent) whereas the highest percentage was in Katni District (100 per cent) among the sampled districts.

10. Infrastructure • In 27 per cent schools kitchens had been constructed but they were not in use (Dhar). Similarly in 41 per cent schools kitchens were constructed but not in use (Indore). • In such schools SHGs use their own place for cooking MDM. • In 100 percent schools food grain was stored at safe places by SHGs. • It was found that in 71 per cent primary schools and in 76 per cent middle schools the potable water for cooking and drinking was available (Indore). • In majority of schools in the sampled districts the firewood was being used as a fuel for cooking MDM. The highest percentage of such schools (99 per cent primary, 100 per cent upper primary) were in Indore District.

11. Safety & Hygiene • In 80-90 percent schools in all the sampled districts the cooking places were safe and not posing any fire hazard. • In 97 per cent primary school children and in 91 per cent middle schools children are encouraged to wash their hands before and after taking meals (Dewas). • In 69 per cent schools in Jabalpur district children were observed to be conserving water while washing the dish.

12. Community Participation • The participation of members of PTAs in monitoring and supervision of MDM was negligible in all the districts.

13. Inspection & Supervision • The inspection of MDM scheme at school level was reported to be done regularly in 76 percent of the total sampled schools in Jabalpur district. • In majority of schools it was found that BRCs, CRCs, PTA and CACs inspected the MDM at some point of time with irregular intervals.

14. Impact • There is complete disconnect between SSA and MDM authorities at district and lower levels due to which lot of gaps and implementational problems exist. • In more than 90 per cent schools teachers believed that due to MDM the daily attendance of children and overall enrolment of the school has increased. • In about 24 per cent schools teachers were of the opinion that MDM contributed in the improvement of the nutritional status of children (Jabalpur). This percentage of schools was highest in Indore where 55 per cent schools teachers were of the opinion that MDM has raised the nutritional status of children. • MDM has played a significant role in bringing social equity among the children, particularly in urban areas.

15. Thanks …