Programmes
Noon
Meal Programme (Revised)
(NP-NSPE)
1.
Free mid- day meals to poor pupils in Lower Primary Schools
was introduced with the material assistance of CARE (Co-operative
for American Relief Everywhere) during 1961-62 as per G.O.
(Rt) No. 2013/61 Edn.dated 31-8-1961. They had withdrawn
the assistance from 1984 and gradually left the field by
1986. It was a welfare scheme and was enjoyed by poor and
needy pupils. Consequent on the withdrawal of assistance
of CARE School Feeding Programme, the Government of Kerala
was constrained to take over the responsibility of noon
feeding in Primary Schools. Accordingly Kanji Feeding was
introduced in the place of care feeding from 1-12-1984.
L.P. Schools of both Government and aided schools in 222
fishermen villages and tribal belts were brought under the
scheme. Subsequently the programme was extended to all L.P.
Schools of Government and Aided in the state from 31-12-1985.
2.
During 1987-88 the scheme issued different shape. The area
of feeding was widened. As a matter of policy of Government
the programme was extended to all Upper Primary Schools
and Upper Primary sections in High Schools from 1987-88
as per G.O. (P) No. 160/87/Gl.Edn. dated 28-7-1987 with
effect from 15-8-1987. It was introduced as a people's programme.
Feeding committee were constituted in every feeding centre.
The committee consisted of the Headmaster of the school,
PTA President, a representative of teachers and a nominee
of local body. One of the members would be chosen as the
President of the committee. The committee was aided to administer
the scheme of supplying mid day meal in schools. The committee
was to conduct the supply of Noon Meals in schools with
the assistance of local people and Government. The committee
selected the pupils for feeding. No eligible pupil was left
out of the scheme. A state level committee was also constituted
to review periodically the progress of implementation of
the scheme.
3.
The food grains used to feed the pupils were rice and green
gram. The ration paid per pupil per day was 60 grams of
rice coupled with green gram of 30 grams and palmolien I
gram and condiments. Boiled rice and side dish prepared
with green gram, palmolien and condiments were served as
Noon Meal to every needy pupil.
4.
The scheme was implemented through the heads of schools.
The food materials for feeding were made available on credit
basis through the Civil Supplies Corporation. The Heads
of schools are to collect the feeding materials from the
nearest Maveli store on production of indents duly passed
by the Assistant Education Officer concerned.
5.
The Noon Feeding Programme in the state is administered
by the Director of Public Instruction at the state level
and assisted by the Senior Administrative Assistant (NMP).
At the District level the programme was supervised and inspected
by the Deputy Director (Education) and supervisors of Noon
Meal Programme. The Noon Meal supervisors visited the feeding
centres and scrutinised the number of pupils, fed on the
day of visit and examined the quality of cooked food supplied,
functioning of feeding committee, facilities available in
the school for cooking, stock of food materials, details
of funds and its utilization etc. The visit report of the
Noon Meal Supervisors are reviewed by Assistant Educational
Officer and the Director of Public Instruction. The Director
of Public Instruction issued suitable instruction of rectify
the defects if found necessary in the implementation of
the scheme. Annual verification of records was also conducted
by the supervisors. The Assistant Educational Officers are
the immediate controlling and inspecting officers at the
lower level. The District Educational Officers also played
a vital role in the implementation of the scheme.
6.
Since the introduction of the NP-NSPE (National Programme
National Support to Primary Education) by Government of
India, on the 15th of August 1995, the noon feeding scheme
of the State was also brought under the NP-NSPE. Accordingly,
Government of India issues 100 gram rice/pupil completely
free of cost to pupils of Standard. I to V, who are in the
list of noon feeding.
7.
But the scheme is introduced in Kerala, with a slight difference.
Here the scheme is extended to pupils of Standard. VI and
VII also, while Government of India considers only pupils
of Standard. I to V. Similarly, while Government of India
allows 100 gram of rice/pupil, we in the state supply only
60 gram/pupil. But in order to compensate this, 30 grams
of any one pulse items such as Green gram, Bengal gram,
Turdhal or Lobia is also supplied per pupil, as side dish,
since the rice is supplied as cooked food to pupils. The
entire cost of purchase of these pulse items is met by the
State Government .
8.
Moreover the Central Government is also financing partly
the transportation cost of the rice lifted from the FCI
godowns to Maveli Stores. The transportation cost paid to
Maveli Stores by the State Government i.e. Rs. 140/Qtl.
Out of this Rs. 140 Rs. 50/Qtl. is reimbursed by Government
of India and the balance of Rs. 90/Qtl. is met by the State
Government from the state budgetary provisions.
9.
In addition to the above transportation cost and cost of
purchase of pulse items, the State Government also meet
the contingent charges of transportation of all these materials
from Maveli Stores to schools as well as the fuel charges,
cooking charges etc.
10.
In addition to the regular noon feeding in schools special
rice 5. Kg. per pupil, who are in the feeding list is supplied
during Onam, X'mas and Ramzan. It was started from the Academic
year 1997-98 and still continuing .
11.
The contingent charges are paid to schools through local
bodies and the fund is allotted by the General Education
Department.
