PANAJI
The Union Education Ministry’s Project Approval Board (PAB) has expressed “deep concern” over the reduction in enrolment of students for mid-day meal, while also expressing “anguish” over the fact that many schools have raised complaints that they were not provided meals on several occasions due to non-availability of food grains.
During its meeting held in March, PAB observed a total three per cent reduction in student enrolment in 2024-25, compared to the previous year. The State is asked to review the situation and submit a report by June 30, 2025.
“The PAB observed that there is a reduction of about 914 in enrolment from FY 2023- 24 to FY 2024-25. There is a decrease of about 1,018 Students in coverage from FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25. The Secretary DoSE&L, expressed deep concern over the reduction in enrolment and advised the State to review the above reduction of enrolment and submit a report by 30th June, 2025,” the PAB stated.
At Bal Vatika, out of 2,571 enrolled students, 2,562 availed the meal, while 89,584 primary students availed the meal as against the total enrolment of 92,501. At upper primary level, as against the enrolment of 66,571, the meal was consumed by only 64,801 students.
The PAB expressed that efforts may be made to ensure the coverage of all the eligible students under the Scheme.
During the meeting, the State government reported utilisation of 100 per cent of allocated quota of food grains for the period April to December, 2024.
However, PAB observed that many schools have reported on Automated Monitoring System (AMS) that meals could not be served due to non-availability of food grains. The PAB advised the State to improve supply chain management and maintain a buffer stock of food grains in all schools.
It is pertinent to note that the Government of India bears the entire cost of food grains i.e. Rs 16.11 crore for the State of Goa at Rs 41.73 per kg for rice and at Rs 29.80 per kg for wheat for FY 2025-26, of which Rs 14.99 cr is as subsidy borne through Department of Food & Public distribution under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The Secretary, Directorate of School Education, Government of India, expressed anguish over fluctuation in daily data reporting by the State on AMS, which is an important platform for monitoring the scheme. He further advised the State to ensure reporting by 100 per cent of schools on all school working days on AMS and to reconcile data on priority basis.
The PAB also expressed concern over less number of school inspections being carried out. It cautioned the State that in many instances only the conveniently located schools have been visited for monitoring purposes and the schools located in difficult terrain/ far flung areas are rarely visited.
“Therefore, the State should develop a mechanism to ensure that all schools are visited at least twice in a year,” it advised.
