Tag: SCHOOL NUTRITION GARDENS

PM POSHAN Scheme Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme Launched by: Ministry of Education, Government of India Duration: 2021-22 to 2025-26 Formerly Known As: National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools Objective: Provide hot cooked nutritious meals to children in Government & Government-aided schools. Key Features of PM POSHAN Scheme Inclusion of Balvatika Hot cooked meals for pre-school (Balvatika) children (before Class I). Covers children from Classes I to VIII in Govt. & Govt-aided schools. Tithi Bhojan (Community Participation) Special food provided by the community during festivals & special occasions. School Nutrition Gardens Schools encouraged to develop nutrition gardens. Helps children experience nature & gardening Social Audit Mandatory in all districts for transparency & accountability. Ensures equity, equality, and proper expenditure management. Vocal for Local Promotes use of locally grown food items (millets, vegetables, condiments). Procured from Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs) & Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Aims to boost local employment & economic development. Special Focus Areas Extra nutrition provision for: Aspirational districts Tribal areas Regions with high malnutrition cases Disaster Management Provision Provides hot cooked meals or Food Security Allowance when schools are closed due to disasters. Implementation & Guidelines Responsibility: State Governments & Union Territory Administrations ensure proper implementation. Government of India provides detailed guidelines on quality, safety, and hygiene. Meal Quality & Safety Measures: Schools must procure Agmark-certified & branded ingredients. Cook-cum-Helpers trained for meal preparation. Meal tasting by 2-3 School Management Committee (SMC) members, including at least one teacher, before serving to students. The PM POSHAN scheme plays a crucial role in improving child nutrition, boosting school attendance, and promoting agricultural awareness through initiatives like nutrition gardens. School Nutrition Gardens under PM POSHAN in Kamrup District Initiative: School Nutrition Gardens under Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme). Purpose: Provides fresh, locally sourced produce for midday meals. Encourages children’s engagement with nature and healthy eating habits. Helps schools earn grades in District Information System for Education. Current Status in Kamrup District Total Schools: 2,068 Schools with Nutrition Gardens: 1,417 Benefits of School Nutrition Gardens Enhances students' nutritional intake through organic vegetables. Promotes awareness of agriculture and environmental conservation. Encourages community participation, including School Management Committees (SMCs) and Mothers' Groups. Challenges Faced Lack of infrastructure: Need for fencing, open space, and water supply facilities. Some schools lack boundary walls, affecting garden security. Uneven implementation: Some schools excel, while others struggle due to infrastructure bottlenecks. Role of Private Sector & CSR Initiatives Private companies can contribute under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Example: A Tezpur-based company fenced 15 school gardens in 2023. Way Forward Awareness and community participation are crucial. More CSR contributions needed for infrastructure improvement. Model Schools like Gorbhanga ME School, Nolgaon LP School, and Bakarapara LP School can inspire others. This initiative has the potential to significantly improve child nutrition, agricultural awareness, and sustainable food practices in schools.

Tag: SCHOOL NUTRITION GARDENS

SCHOOL NUTRITION GARDENS

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