Shillong: Under the PM POSHAN Scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a school meal program initiated by the Government of India to enhance the nutritional status of school children nationwide, innovative practices are being adopted in Meghalaya.
Instead of using plates provided by schools, students now have the option to bring empty tiffin boxes from home, which has proven to be highly effective in meal distribution.
The use of tiffin boxes in schools across Meghalaya has significantly streamlined the implementation of the PM POSHAN Scheme. Each morning, students bring their empty tiffin boxes to school and hand them over to the Cook-Cum-Helpers. These staff members then fill the boxes with the day’s cooked meal, adhering to government guidelines which specify portions such as 100 grams of food grains for Primary and 150 grams for Upper Primary students, supplemented with vegetables, pulses, and other available food items.
At recess, students retrieve their packed tiffin boxes and enjoy their meals, keeping the empty containers with them to take home after school. This practice has reduced water usage for washing plates, improved hygiene standards, and minimized the time required to serve meals. Furthermore, it ensures that all students receive meals according to government standards and promotes consistency in meal distribution.
The Department of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) encourages schools and stakeholders across Meghalaya to adopt this innovative approach, emphasizing its role in enhancing operational efficiency within the scheme.
