Minster of school education and SCERT, Yitachu on Friday asserted that implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) in the state was not satisfactory and that change in the system was needed where everyone must assist and support.
He said this at the one-day sensitization programme on Implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) under Longleng district at Longleng town as chief guest.
After going through various reports on the implementation of MDMS in the state, the minister admitted that there was also a success story and the achievement was based on how the resources were managed. He said Nagaland “actually is manageable state and if we are good in managing the given resources, then it can be a better state”.
Yitachu assertion was that there are limit to everything and only when everybody understand the limit, and endeavour to manage the resources, then the change can be witnessed in the state.
He also said that the MDM scheme was not only providing meals to the children, but bringing up children in the right direction. “It is not how much they get, but what they eat. How clean are they and the food, how disciplined are they when food are being served”, but the children waiting in silence while church leaders prayed for the meal needed appreciation, he said.
Further, Yitachu said that MDMS implemented by the Phom Community Development Society at Longleng was a “pilot project”, which could be exemplified in other districts and in other states. He therefore, called upon all sections of people to support the programme, so that it will become model in the country.
The minister also cautioned against encroachment of schools compound and said that this has to be stopped. “Time has come to stop all the evils and give chance to change. The works of some people which doesn’t benefit the people is considered heroic though they are evil, but its time those who do right are recognized and consider them as heroes”, he said.
He further urged all responsible citizens to discharge their duties and stopped for indulging in such act, instead encouraged the students to go to schools and give positive comments to any programmes implemented.
Yitachu also visited Hukphang Village where meal was served to more than three hundred children. He also planted a tree to mark the environment month.
Resource persons for the discussion session were deputy director DSE, Chubanungla and State Project and Nodal Officer (MDM) DSE, Khriekethozo Lhoungu.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by DDEO Longleng, K. Khawakhrie while welcome addressed was delivered by SDEO, S. Bendang Longkumer.
DC Longleng, Denngan Avennoho Phom his short speech urged the teachers and all village level leaders to give support so that the implementation of this scheme in the district would be successful.
Y. Nuklu Phom executive secretary of Phom Baptist Christian Association and chief functionary of the Phom Community Development Society, a development department under the PBCA gave a short powerpoint presentation on the challenges and an overview of the scheme.