As we kick off “Pass Ya Fail”, our campaign on Right to Education in India, this week we bring you compelling evidence on the lack of access to education in the country.
Community Correspondent Neeru Rathod reports from her community in Kanpar, Gujarat on the corruption in the village primary school.
The Mid-Day meal, a government sponsored scheme for school in India is meant to provide food to children in schools. This scheme is a major drawing factor for the students who would otherwise not get nutritious food as their families often cannot provide it.
In Kanpar, the person in charge of orchestrating the mid-day meals has been siphoning off the raw materials for the meals. The cook says she only gets enough food to cook 2-3 meals a month and the kitchen remains shut on other days.
Neeru was able to mobilise the women of the village and went with them to the Deputy Magistrate’s office to write an official complaint. The results are yet to be seen.
“No government department is free from the vortex of corruption. Here the situation has gone so far that food is being stolen from children. This in a state where our Chief Minister misses no opportunity to proclaim how non-corrupt his team of administrators is”, says Neeru.
Neeru is sure that if pressurised further, authorities will resolve this case. She urges you to make the next move.
Call to Action: Please call the Mid day meal Administration Officer on 0947454308 and ask him to ensure the children start getting food in the school on a daily basis.