A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended “exemplary punishment” against teachers and schools perpetuating untouchability during implementation of the mid day meal scheme.
The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes also suggested periodic interactive sessions with the teachers by the school management to make them understand the social fallout of untouchability. Observing that the practice is more prevalent in remotest areas of the country, it recommended that “schools and teachers involved in such deplorable practice of untouchability should be given exemplary punishment”.
The committee in particular referred to such cases in Odisha and sought immediate dispatch of special teams to the state to investigate them and suggest ways and means to tackle the “malaise” accordingly. Noting that 144 districts have been identified for their poor performance and central review missions have been conducted, the committee said these districts still remain under performed. While the scheme covers Class I to VIII, it suggested that the Classes IX and X should also be included under it to reduce drop-out rate particularly among students coming from SC and ST communities.