Review meeting held on mid-day meals in schools

VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 1 The State Child Rights Protection Commission on Monday conducted a comprehensive review meeting on the implementation of the ongoing mid-day meal programme for the schoolchildren with officials of the education department and women and child welfare and Akshaya Patra in Visakhapatnam. The meeting began with an inspection of the Akshaya Patra cooking centre by the officials, who evaluated the measures in place to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. The inspection aimed to ensure that the food preparation met the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. During the review session, Gondu Sitaram, a representative of the State Child Rights Protection Commission, emphasized the importance of proper monitoring during the food preparation. He inquired about the records being maintained by the education officials including number of schools and students covered under the mid-day meal programme, and the percentage of complaints received in the previous academic year. The discussion also covered the resolution status of these complaints and the quality and quantity of rice and pulses supplied by the Civil Supply Corporation. Sitaram highlighted the necessity of joint efforts by the women and child welfare and district education department to ensure that 100 percent of students benefit from the mid-day meal scheme. He suggested installing special complaint boxes in every school to address the food-related issues promptly. "The aim of the Andhra Pradesh State Child Rights Protection Commission is to ensure that students receive a nutritious and satisfactory menu. Recommendations will be made to achieve this goal," Sitaram stated.