5 hrs ago
PMK Condemns Headmasters Paying Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme Costs
Tamil Nadu is expanding its breakfast program to include students through Class 8.
The expansion is planned for September 17.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss says schools were told to prepare without receiving money from the government.
The reported preparations include signs, kitchen and storage improvements, water, lights, plates, and glasses.
These items may cost each school between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000.
Anbumani says it is unfair to make headmasters pay from their own pockets.
He also warned that poor funding could create problems in schools.
He wants the government to pay for the setup and withdraw the circular.
The government’s response was not included in the reports.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss alleged headmasters were told to fund breakfast-scheme preparations themselves.
Schools reportedly must arrange nameboards, kitchen and storage upgrades, water, lighting, plates, and glasses.
The preparation costs are estimated at Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per school.
The scheme began for Classes 1 to 5 in September 2022 and reached aided schools in August 2023.
Anbumani urged withdrawal of the District Educational Officers’ circular and direct government funding.
- Who
- PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss criticized the Tamil Nadu School Education Department over alleged directions to school headmasters.
- What
- Headmasters were allegedly directed to bear initial preparation costs for expanding the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme.
- Where
- The issue concerns government and government-aided schools in Tamil Nadu; the report was filed from Chennai.
- When
- The report was published on September 13; expansion to Class 8 was scheduled for September 17.
- Why
- Schools reportedly need signage, kitchen and storage improvements, drinking water, lighting, and utensils for the expansion.
PMK’s position
Reported departmental directive
Who should pay
PMK’s position
Anbumani Ramadoss said the state government should directly fund all initial setup costs.
Reported departmental directive
The alleged School Education Department instructions reportedly required headmasters to arrange the necessities without allocated financial support.
Effect of the policy
PMK’s position
The PMK called the arrangement unjust and unmanageable and warned it could compromise integrity and discipline.
Reported departmental directive
The reports describe the alleged requirements but do not include a response or justification from the School Education Department.
Key facts
- Estimated cost
- Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per school, depending on student strength
- Scheme launch
- Started for Classes 1 to 5 in government primary schools in September 2022
- Earlier expansion
- Extended to government-aided schools in August 2023
- Planned expansion
- Scheduled to cover students up to Class 8 on September 17
- Reported requirements
- Nameboards, steel frames, kitchen and storage improvements, drinking water, lighting, plates, and glasses
- Requested action
- Anbumani called for withdrawal of the District Educational Officers’ circular and direct government funding
- Government response
- No response from the government was included in the reports
Quotes
Anbumani Ramadoss
PMK president and former Union minister
“It is shocking that the government, which has allocated hundreds of crores for the breakfast scheme, has not provided a single rupee for these initial arrangements.”
theprint.in
“However, the government has mandated that headmasters arrange basic necessities without allocating any financial support.”
theprint.in
Sources
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