By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 20: The PM POSHAN scheme, previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, has seen an innovative implementation in Meghalaya schools through the use of tiffin boxes. This school meal programme, centrally sponsored by the central government, aims to improve the nutritional status of school-going children across the country.
While the scheme provides necessary utensils for serving one cooked meal per child each day, students in Meghalaya have the option to bring empty tiffin boxes from home instead of using school-provided plates. This practice, widely adopted in the state, has significantly enhanced the scheme’s implementation.
Under this approach, children bring empty tiffin boxes in the morning and hand them to the Cook-Cum-Helpers. After preparing the meals, the helpers pack the hot food into the tiffin boxes, following the Government of India’s norms of 100 grams of food grains for primary and 150 grams for upper primary students, along with vegetables, pulses, and other available food items. The helpers’ tasks are then completed for the day.
During recess, students receive their packed tiffin boxes and enjoy their meals. They keep the empty boxes with them and take them home after school. This method reduces water usage for washing plates, improves hygiene, and shortens meal-serving time. It also ensures that students receive meals according to the government-specified norms and allows for uniform serving across the school.
The Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) encourages students and stakeholders to adopt this efficient practice, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the PM POSHAN Scheme in Meghalaya.