Mid-day meal: Video of food from Hardoi school goes viral, 2 teachers suspended
Hardoi School Mid Day Meal Scandal: Teachers Suspended After Viral Video
Bharatmorningnews.com – The mid day meal scheme continues to face scrutiny as another video from a Hardoi school has gone viral, highlighting concerns about food quality in government educational institutions. This incident follows a similar controversy in Sitapur district, where watery gravy and burnt chappatis were served to students, sparking widespread outrage across Uttar Pradesh.
The viral video captured the mid day meal being served at Primary School Kotra in Tadiyawan development block, revealing substandard food preparation that has now led to disciplinary action against school staff. The footage showed students receiving meals that appeared inadequate in both quantity and quality, raising questions about the implementation of the national mid day meal programme in rural areas.
Immediate Action Taken Against School Staff
Two teachers, including the headmaster of the primary school in Hardoi district, were suspended on Tuesday following an inquiry that confirmed serious complaints regarding the poor quality of the mid-day meal served to students. According to Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) of Hardoi district Prabhat Mishra, the suspension was ordered after thorough investigation into the allegations.
The BSA confirmed that action was taken against headmaster Rajesh Kumar and assistant teacher Vinod Kumar of Primary School Kotra. The matter came to light when a video showing the mid-day meal being served to students at the school went viral on social media platforms. In response to the growing public concern, the basic education department ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
During the investigation, it emerged that Vinod Kumar was the one who recorded the video, and he allegedly had a prior dispute with the headmaster. This revelation added another dimension to the controversy, suggesting possible personal motivations behind the video's release. Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Prabhat Mishra subsequently ordered the suspension of both teachers, while notices were also issued to the cooks preparing meals at the school, seeking their responses regarding the allegations.
Broader Implications for Mid Day Meal Programme
The block education officer (BEO) of Tadiyawan and the district coordinator for the mid-day meal programme have also been asked to explain alleged lapses in inspecting the school and monitoring the mid-day meal arrangements, officials said. This indicates that the issue extends beyond individual school staff to include supervisory authorities responsible for ensuring proper implementation of the programme.
"The inquiry found irregularities in arrangements for providing the mid-day meal and confirmed complaints regarding the food quality," said officials involved in the investigation.
This incident is not isolated, as last week the education department lodged an FIR and suspended the principal of a government primary school and a cook following complaints of sub-standard mid-day meals being served to students in Sitapur district after a video went viral on social media. The Sitapur case involved vegetables dropped in water and burnt chappatis being served to students on July 3.
The BSA of Sitapur district, Gorakhnath Patel, stated that the cook in her statement confessed that poor quality food was being served to students at a government primary school in Sitapur district. After the video surfaced, the administration swung into action, taking action against the school principal, Kalpana Verma, and the cook. Both were suspended and an FIR was lodged against them.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mid Day Meal Scheme
What is the mid day meal scheme? The mid day meal scheme is a government programme that provides free lunch to school children in government and government-aided schools across India to improve nutritional status and encourage school attendance.
What are the nutritional standards for mid day meals? The scheme mandates that each child receives at least 450 calories and 12 grams of protein per day, with specific guidelines for meal preparation and quality control.
How are complaints about mid day meals addressed? Complaints are typically investigated by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari and block education officers, with disciplinary action taken against responsible staff members when violations are confirmed.
What happens when a mid day meal scandal goes viral? When such incidents gain attention on social media, the education department usually conducts immediate inquiries, suspends involved staff, and may lodge FIRs against those found guilty of negligence or corruption.
Are there regular inspections for mid day meal quality? Yes, the block education officer and district coordinator conduct regular inspections to monitor mid day meal arrangements and ensure compliance with nutritional standards.