Schools in the State are once again struggling for funds for implementing the midday meal scheme – with arrears piling up from December onwards, say school authorities.
A school in Kasaragod that has just a little over 1,000 students is due lakhs of rupees since December. With funds from the government stalled, teachers spend ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 a month from their own pocket to ensure midday meals to students from deprived backgrounds, say schools.
Often, it is a juggling game with advances and delayed payments to vendors for vegetables, grocery, or condiments.
What is worse is having to repeatedly request for funds that they should not have to at all, say teachers.
They were expecting to receive funds at least before the elections. “If payments till February are received, then we can still manage with funds for one month pending,” say teachers.
