Bihar fifth in midday meal scheme implementation

Patna: The Saran midday meal tragedy in 2013 notwithstanding, Bihar has been ranked fifth in the implementation of midday meal (MDM) scheme among all states and Union territories of the country, according to a list of ranking issued by the Centre on the basis of data collected on the scheme’s implementation.

Revealing this education minister P K Shahi said the state government now eyes the top spot. “Earlier, over 20,000 schools across the state were not able to implement the scheme, but due to the sincere efforts made by officials concerned, the number has now become almost negligible,” he said.

Congratulating the entire staff of education department for achieving the landmark, Shahi said education has been the top priority of CM Nitish Kumar. “The state government has allotted over 23% fund in the state budget for education and it will go up to 25% after the third supplementary budget,” the minister said and attributed the increase in students’ attendance in government schools across the state from meagre 55% to over 70% to the effective implementation of MDM, bicycle, uniform and scholarship schemes.

Speaking about the state government’s endeavour of providing high quality higher education to Bihari students by opening doors for private universities, the minister said the department has published a list of rules and regulations for private universities by framing the Bihar Private Universities Rules, 2013.

Principal secretary of education department Amarjeet Sinha emphasized on the importance of girls’ education in society.

Courtesy: TNN