Goa Affairs
Just 6% Goa schools using IVRS for feedback on midday meals
The Union Government‘s project approval board (PAB) for themidday meal schemehas found that in Goa, schools’ reporting of supply and quality of meals using the automated monitoring system has been ‘abysmally low’.
An integrated voice response system (IVRS) had been specially designed for the purpose, but only 6% of schools used it in 2022-23.
The automated monitoring system has been put in place for real-time monitoring ofPM Poshan. Data on the number of meals served on the particular day and reasons if meals are not served are being captured from schools with no cost to school headmasters/teachers. Out of 1,247 schools, on Average, daily data has been reported by 75 schools, ie, only 6% schools, on the automated monitoring system.
In Goa, data is collected from schools using an IVRS developed by theInfotech Corporation of Goa. Through the IVRS, a call goes to a selected representative of the school every day at a pre-decided time. A pre-recorded voice asks for different details about the midday meal served on that particular day. A selected school teacher or headmaster provides data by pressing the appropriate number. This data is later submitted by Education officials in the state on a Union government portal.
The Goa government was advised to conduct testing of the meal samples to check quality and nutritional contents, through NABL or Fssai accredited laboratories.