Odisha MLA conducts surprise inspection of schools, assesses quality of MDM

In an unannounced visit aimed at assessing the effectiveness of welfare programs, Chikiti MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara conducted a surprise inspection of the midday meal scheme at Ramchandrapur Jagannath Government Upper Primary School.

The MLA interacted directly with students during their lunchtime, engaging in candid conversations and sampling the food himself to assess its quality and taste. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the limited menu options, which included only rice and dal, as the head teacher failed to provide a complete account of the day’s planned meal.

Concerned about the nutritional standards being met under the scheme, Dyan Samantara urged the school authorities to enhance the quality and variety of the meals provided to the children. He emphasized that the midday meal initiative's core objective is to feed children and ensure their proper nourishment and support healthy development.

The MLA discovered discrepancies in the attendance records during his inspection in a more troubling revelation. The school’s head teacher was found to have pre-signed attendance entries for two upcoming days, a clear violation of administrative norms. The MLA promptly flagged the issue and reported the irregularity to the Block Education Officer (BEO) for immediate investigation.

This unscheduled evaluation highlights the legislator’s hands-on approach in ensuring accountability and improved delivery of government schemes at the grassroots level. The incident has also raised concerns about monitoring mechanisms in schools and the need for stricter oversight to uphold the integrity of educational and welfare programs.

The Block Education Office is expected to initiate an inquiry into the matter in the coming days.