Worms found in Malda school’s mid-day meal, parents protest over stale food and teacher negligence

A disturbing incident unfolded at Gangnadiya Primary School in Harishchandrapur, Malda, when parents discovered worms in the rice served as part of the school’s Mid-Day Meal on Friday morning. The discovery sparked immediate protests, as the rice was found to be not only stale but also infested with worms, raising concerns about the food’s safety for students. The Mid-Day Meal program, which is meant to provide nutritious meals to children in government schools, has faced multiple complaints across West Bengal regarding food hygiene and quality.

According to the school administration, the rice served to the students had been prepared the previous day for the school workers. Headmaster Ranjit Kumar Barman explained that the rice was meant for workers but was left uneaten and was subsequently found in the kitchen. He assured that this rice was not intended for students and was not supposed to be served to them. However, this explanation did little to quell the anger of parents, who expressed concerns over the potential health risks posed by consuming food prepared under such conditions.

Along with the food quality issue, parents raised concerns about the absenteeism of teachers at the school. The school reportedly has nine teachers, but parents have claimed that many of them are irregular in their attendance. When present, the teachers are alleged to only sign in and leave, without staying to supervise students or engage in regular teaching. This has led to further complaints regarding the overall functioning of the school, including the lack of proper care and academic guidance for the students.

In light of the protest, local Trinamool Congress representative Swapan Ali visited the school to mediate and address the concerns raised by the parents. He spoke with both the parents and school authorities to gather information and resolve the issue. Ali confirmed that the concerns regarding the food quality and teacher attendance were taken seriously, and discussions were underway to address the situation. His visit was aimed at calming tensions while ensuring that the parents’ complaints were heard and acted upon.

This incident adds to a series of similar issues that have been reported across West Bengal regarding the Mid-Day Meal program. Previous complaints have included instances of food contamination, improper handling, and lack of oversight in schools, particularly in rural areas. These incidents have led to calls for greater accountability, improved monitoring, and stricter quality control measures to ensure that students receive safe and nutritious meals. The state government, along with local authorities, faces growing pressure to address these recurring problems and improve the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal scheme to ensure the safety and well-being of students.