CS directs to construct kitchen sheds in schools by December-end

BHUBANESWAR: Chief secretary A P Padhi on Wednesday directed to complete construction of the kitchen sheds in schools by December-end.
Reviewing the midday meal (MDM) programme, Padhi asked the school and mass education department to ensure judicious utilization of funds released by the state government for the purpose.
Of the total 58,214 schools, where the MDM programme is being implemented, over 42,000 schools have their own kitchen sheds.Over 47 lakh students have been covered under the MDM programme.
“The state government has already released funds for construction of kitchen sheds in all schools. Over 16,000 kitchen sheds are under different stages of constructions. The state government is allocating Rs 1.2 lakh for construction of each kitchen shed,” said an official statement issued by the chief secretary’s office.
To streamline and organize the MDM programme, Padhi asked to rope in expertise agencies and non-profitable organizations, who are engaged in preparing food through centralized kitchens.
In another review, the chief secretary also reviewed status of the model schools, a programme launched to impart English medium (CBSE model) coaching to meritorious students in villages.
So far 160 model schools have been constructed and fully operational in 160 blocks while more 67 schools are under construction. Under the programme, the state government aims to construct model schools in all 314 blocks.
Emphasizing on quality both in construction of school infrastructure including hostels, the chief secretary has asked the rural development department to go for inspection of these schools.
The chief secretary asked the school and mass education department to ensure proper training of teachers engaged in these schools.