Mid- Day Meal Programme: Primary Education Issues In Andhra Pradesh

  • Mrs. M. Nirmala Bai, Prof. G. Savaraiah

Abstract

This paper focuses on primary education and MDM programme implementation in Andhra Pradesh and suggest measures to improve the conditions. In India Mid Day Meal Programme was introduced in 1925 for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation.  The primary school is the first step towards formal schooling though the education of a child starts with the home itself. India has one of the largest child-population and half of them are disadvantaged and belong to the families which are economically impoverished. The growth of educational institutions at the primary level in all the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh indicates the extent of availability of schooling facilities to children in the age group of 6-14 years. The number of primary schools in 2015-16 is 38,793 and in 2016-17 they increased to 39193. The Government of Andhra Pradesh introduced the cooked Mid Day Meal Programme in all Government, Local body and Government Aided Primary Schools.  However, how far the implementation of scheme is really being taken seriously by the government and its officials machinery is the issue. The provision involves the preparation and distribution within the premises of schools. The teachers in Primary Schools revealed that the obstacles to ensure quality in the education are responsibilities in the Primary schools with special reference to MDM scheme. Further, the teachers were passing the children in the exams without making them learn because of the pressure of the policy makers and executers. This must be checked by implementing the existing programs effectively and by encouraging the parents who lack motivation and capacity to send their children to school regularly. As the primary education is the base for higher education and achieving total literacy its performance must be improved.

Published
2019-12-31
Section
Articles