Schools in Khowai district, Tripura, have been grappling with a severe shortage of funds for the mid-day meal scheme, leaving teachers to bear the financial burden to ensure students do not go hungry. According to teachers, the funding has been stalled since November, and many schools have exhausted their stock of government-supplied rice.
In the absence of funds, teachers have been using their own money to buy rice and other essentials to keep the mid-day meal program running. Some teachers have even resorted to buying rice from families who do not use their ration supplies, while others have taken goods on credit from local shops.
One of the affected teachers explained the gravity of the situation, saying, “We cannot stop serving meals as it would leave many students hungry throughout the school day. If the scheme is discontinued, there is a high risk that students may stop attending school regularly.”
Funding Delays Confirmed by Officials
An official from the district education department confirmed the delay in the disbursement of funds. He assured that the schools would soon receive funds covering the period from November to January. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for when the next installment would arrive.
The official also admitted that such delays have been a recurring issue for the past four to five years, as funds are typically released in phases every few months instead of on a monthly basis.
Teachers Express Concern Over Irregular Funding
Frustrated by the repeated delays, several teachers questioned why the government has not taken steps to ensure regular funding for the mid-day meal scheme. They urged the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further hardship for both students and teachers.
A senior teacher from a government school said, “It is disheartening that despite knowing about these delays for years, no permanent solution has been found. We request the government to streamline the funding process so that the mid-day meal scheme can run without interruptions.”
Impact on Students and Education
The mid-day meal scheme has been instrumental in encouraging regular school attendance, particularly in economically weaker sections. A disruption in the scheme not only affects students’ nutrition but also threatens to increase dropout rates.
Local education activists have also raised concerns, emphasizing that the situation could worsen if funds are not released promptly. They have called for a transparent and timely funding mechanism to ensure the sustainability of the mid-day meal program.
With the academic year progressing, teachers and students in Khowai district are anxiously waiting for the government to address the funding crisis and restore normalcy to the mid-day meal scheme.
(Pic : Representative illustration taken from open source internet)
