A study on the effectiveness of mid day meal programme as perceived by the teachers and guardians

Abstract

newline This study aims to discuss the effectiveness of mid-day meal programme as perceived by Teachers and Guardians and utilization of Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) in particular and any public service delivery in study area of West Bengal in general. Review of related literature revealed that service providers and newlinebeneficiaries of MDMS are facing implementation challenges in terms of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, participation, coordination and monitoring. Present study was conducted in three districts of West Bengal (Bankura, Howrah and Nadia) using qualitative and descriptive design. The data was collected through spot observations of 100 Schools of different blocks, interview with 100 parents and 100 Teachers, and informal interviews with 50 school children and 10 MDM functionaries. The data was analysed using statistical tools like Percentage, Ranking and Bar-graphs. Findings were triangulated using diverse data sources of MDM functionaries, Teachers and Guardians representatives, school representatives, and school children to enhance the validity. The data was collected during October 2018 to March 2022. Findings highlight the ground level challenges faced by the stake holders in terms of delayed payment release, difficulties associated with the digitalization of MDMS, quality control and management issues, lack of nutritional knowledge amongst workers of Self-Help Groups (Mahila Mandal), and vacant positions in Nadia as well as Howrah newlineMunicipal Corporations. This study recommends that MDM programme is successful in achieving its goals as perceived by Parents and Teachers. Stronger monitoring system, provision for advance funds to the implementing agencies, realistic and focused goals for MDMS, encouraging public private partnership will be important in further development. This study, based on intensive interaction with all the stakeholders involved in the scheme in the State, suggest short-term reforms which can help treat the policy in its present form and improve the implementation mechanism so as to achieve the objectives set forth for the ambitious programme like MDMS. newlineThe thesis has been divided into six chapters. The First chapter deals with the present context of the study, the scope of the study, the importance of the study, statement of the problem, research area, research problems. It also includes the preliminary idea about the midday meal and limitation of the study. The Second Chapter covers a review of related studies which was already carried out by different academicians, educationalists, researchers, and policymakers in India and West Bengal. The Third Chapter discusses the theoretical orientation and research methodology of the study. The Fourth Chapter analyses the perceptions of Teachers and Parents used for the study. In Fifth Chapter data analysis and interpretations has been done to test the hypotheses. The Chapter Sixth discusses the outcome of the present research work will be discussed along with the suggestions and conclusions. newline