Schools in Maharashtra and political parties have expressed opposition to the recent government resolution that cuts funding for eggs and sugar in midday meals.
The resolution, issued by the School Education Department on January 28, modifies the list of dishes provided under the midday meal scheme by removing eggs and sugar from the provisions. While schools are now required to offer optional items like egg pulao and nachni satva (a sweet dish made from ragi flour), they must source funds for eggs and sugar through public contributions, as no additional government support will be allocated.
“Egg Pulao and sweet dishes such as rice-kheer and Nachani Satva remain optional, but schools must arrange funds for sugar and eggs through public contributions,” reads the GR.
In its GR, the Maharashtra government said the decision to drop funding for eggs and sugar was in response to multiple representations from stakeholders about the challenges in implementing the proposed three-course meal plan, reported Hindustan Times.
Nitin Dalvi, President of the Maharashtra Parents Teachers Association, criticized the move, stating, “This decision unfairly burdens schools with fundraising responsibilities, which is not their primary function. Teachers in municipal schools already face delays in receiving their salaries, and now they are being asked to take on additional tasks. Should their focus be on teaching or on raising funds?”
Basanti Roy, former divisional secretary of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Education, pointed out that expecting schools to independently raise funds is impractical, and the consequences will ultimately fall on the students. She stressed the importance of midday meals, particularly in rural areas, where they serve as a key motivator for children to attend school, reported The Free Press Journal.
“The students will suffer the most from this decision. Poor families who depend on midday meals to feed their children will see a decline in their nutritional intake. Many of these children are already struggling with malnutrition,” she cautioned.
This decision has also been met with strong criticism from Mukund Kirdat of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the AAP Parents’ Union, reported The Free Press Journal.
