For the past two years, hundreds of government school teachers in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district have been personally funding a crucial part of the midday meal programme, awaiting reimbursements that have not materialised. The teachers have been covering the gap between the government's allocated funds and the actual market price of eggs, a key protein source for students.
The Financial Burden on Educators
The central issue lies in the procurement cost. While the state government allocates Rs 6 for each egg, only Rs 5 of this is meant for the actual purchase. The remaining Re 1 is designated for boiling (50 paise), peeling (30 paise), and transportation (20 paise). However, the retail price of an egg in the district hovers around Rs 8, and even the wholesale rate is about Rs 7.30. This leaves a shortfall of Rs 2.30 to Rs 3 per egg, which teachers have been paying from their own salaries.
A head teacher from a government school in Bokkapatna provided a stark example. With around 60 students, she has been spending an extra Rs 2,000 per month from her pocket for eggs over the last two years. "We have submitted letters and bills for a refund, but we have not received any money," she stated, highlighting a common grievance. She added that egg prices began rising from Rs 5.50 at the start of the academic year, increasing the financial strain each month.
Scale of the Problem in Larger Schools
The financial impact is significantly magnified in schools with higher enrollment. Another teacher, whose school has about 240 children, explained that between Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 is spent monthly to cover the egg cost difference. "We have other financial commitments too, and this ongoing expense is a burden," the teacher said. Despite repeated requests and providing necessary documentation, the refunds remain pending.
Most schools in Dakshina Kannada purchase eggs from local retailers, with very few able to access the slightly cheaper wholesale market, further complicating cost management.
Official Response and Pending Resolution
When contacted, Jnanesh MP, the executive officer of Akshara Dasoha (the midday meal scheme) in DK, acknowledged the issue. He informed that the matter was raised with higher officials recently. "They informed us that the file has been sent to the concerned department for clearance. The department officials will communicate via circulars once it is approved," Jnanesh said.
This statement indicates that while the administrative process is in motion, there is no concrete timeline for when the teachers, who have been subsidising a government scheme for 24 months, will finally be reimbursed. The delay raises questions about the implementation and fund flow mechanisms of the vital midday meal programme at the ground level.
