By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 20: The Meghalaya government has made significant strides in implementing the PM Poshan scheme; however, challenges remain, including the continued use of firewood for cooking and the need for improved kitchen facilities in schools.
Education Secretary Swapnil Tembe, speaking after a high-level executive committee meeting on Thursday, highlighted the state’s achievements while acknowledging areas requiring further attention.
The PM Poshan scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at providing nutritious meals to students in government and government-aided schools from pre-primary to Class VIII.
He noted that one of the most notable successes has been the timely release of funds. Unlike in previous years, all four instalments for the 2023-24 financial year were secured by December, ensuring that payments — including the honorarium for cook-cum-helpers — were disbursed without delay.
Additionally, the state has completed training for all 20,000 cook-cum-helpers responsible for preparing daily meals. In collaboration with NESFAS, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to train these workers in hygiene and nutrition. Teachers and headmasters were also included in the training process, and cooking competitions were held to encourage the preparation of highly nutritious meals.
A special booklet, developed in partnership with NESFAS, was distributed to guide schools on utilizing region-specific produce for student meals. For instance, schools in Garo Hills received insights on incorporating locally grown vegetables into their menus, ensuring both nutritional value and sustainability.
Among the scheme’s major achievements is the rapid expansion of School Nutrition Gardens, which serve as both an educational tool and a source of fresh vegetables for mid-day meals. In 2023, only nine percent of schools had these gardens. To encourage participation, the state observed School Nutrition Garden Day twice last year, resulting in 80 percent of schools now maintaining functional kitchen gardens.
This success was largely driven by community participation, with parents and villagers helping schools establish and maintain the gardens. The horticulture department, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and NREGA also played a crucial role by providing support, materials, and labor.
“Children are now directly involved in growing vegetables, composting kitchen waste, and learning about the importance of nutrition—a hands-on experience that is expected to shape their understanding of healthy eating and sustainability. Encouraged by this progress, the state now aims to ensure that every school has a nutrition garden by the end of the year,” Tembe added.
Addressing challenges, he identified the continued reliance on firewood for cooking as one of the most pressing concerns.
At present, only nine percent of schools use LPG, while the vast majority still depend on firewood, raising both environmental and health concerns. In many rural areas, LPG cylinders are either unavailable or too expensive, making firewood the more accessible option. In some cases, local communities donate firewood, further reinforcing its use.
Tembe assured that the government is determined to promote cleaner energy alternatives and plans to launch awareness campaigns to encourage the adoption of green cooking fuels.
Another issue is the lack of proper dining spaces in schools. Currently, students either eat in their classrooms or outside. To address this, the government piloted three model kitchens with dining rooms in Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Khasi Hills. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and the state now plans to expand the initiative to more schools in the coming years.
Emphasizing food safety and meal quality as key priorities, Tembe highlighted that, for the first time, Meghalaya has introduced a system of food inspections and testing.
Special staff members have been deployed to visit schools, collect food samples, and send them to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Pasture Hills. In 2023, 181 samples were tested, and in some cases, issues such as poor water quality were identified. Schools were immediately instructed to improve hygiene, replace water sources, and use better-quality filters.
“To strengthen monitoring, the government has also mandated that teachers report meal details through a dedicated app. These reports are being cross-checked with on-ground inspections to ensure that meals are being provided as per guidelines,” he added.
Currently, around seven lakh students in Meghalaya benefit from the PM Poshan scheme. In the 2023-24 financial year, the total allocation for the scheme stood at approximately Rs 130 crore, covering all components, including food costs, cook-cum-helper honorariums, and transport expenses.