Lapses in MDM scheme, poor performance
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 19: Chief Education Officer (CEO) Rajouri, Mohammad Hafiz, today issued show cause notices to 87 masters and teachers and suspended another teacher after allegedly noticing serious lapses in the implementation of Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme and academic performance in several Government schools across the district.
Officials said the action followed the constitution of special inspection teams by the CEO to monitor punctuality, work culture, academic standards and proper implementation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme.
They said the teams conducted surprise inspections in various Government schools on December 18 and noted serious shortcomings.
“During the inspections, as many as 14 schools were found serving poor-quality Mid-Day Meals against the approved menu. In 10 schools, a mismatch was noticed between actual student attendance and the data uploaded on the ARMs portal,” they said.
Financial irregularities were also detected, officials said, adding that misuse of School Infrastructure Fund (SIF) was found in 13 schools, while 9 schools had improperly utilized Samagra Shiksha grants.
In another 9 schools, items shown as purchased were not available on the spot, they said.
Additionally, 15 schools failed to maintain mandatory store stock registers, officials added.
Academic performance was another area of concern, they said, as according to them, five schools were found not checking students’ notebooks properly, and 13 schools showed poor academic performance, while eight schools failed to improve or maintain school buildings despite having sufficient funds.
“In view of these lapses, the CEO has directed the 87 concerned Masters and Teachers to submit written explanations through their respective Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) within two days,” they said.
“Failure to respond within the stipulated time will invite strict disciplinary action under rules,” they said.
Meanwhile, Khalil Ahmed, a Teacher at MS Padhyara in Zone Peeri, has been placed under suspension for negligence and failure to maintain Mid-Day Meal records.
During the suspension period, he will remain attached to HS Treru, Zone Moghla, and will receive suspension allowance as per rules.
Reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy, CEO Rajouri stated that no compromise will be made on students’ nutrition, academic standards or misuse of public funds.
He added that such inspections will continue under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, and Director School Education Jammu, Dr Naseem Javed Choudhary, to ensure transparency, discipline and better learning outcomes in government schools across the district.
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