PMK leader Anbumani has condemned the School Education Department for ordering that arrangements for the expansion of the breakfast scheme be made at the headmasters’ own expense.
In this regard, in a condemnation statement posted on his 'X' page,
In Tamil Nadu, in government and government-aided schools, the renamed and extended Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme up to eighth grade is set to have its launch ceremony on the 17th, and the School Education Department has ordered that all the necessary arrangements for it must be made by the headmasters of the schools at their own expense. It is condemnable that the government itself is imposing an unnecessary financial burden on teachers.
The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme was introduced in government primary schools in Tamil Nadu for classes 1 to 5 on September 15, 2022, on the birth anniversary of Anna. From August 25, 2023, the scheme was extended to government-aided schools as well. Following this, the scheme has been extended up to class 8 and will be launched on September 17, the birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar, under the name of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme.
While arrangements are being made for the inauguration of the Chief Minister Kamarajar breakfast scheme, the School Education Department has ordered headmasters of the schools where this scheme will be implemented to prepare and install new nameboards measuring 4 by 2 feet on steel pipes; to rectify deficiencies related to the facilities needed by schools, including kitchens, storage rooms for food items, drinking water, electric lights, and so on; and to buy plates and tumblers for students. Yet it has not allocated even a single paisa for this purpose. What is shocking is that the government has ordered headmasters to provide all these facilities at their own expense.
In each school, depending on the number of students, it may cost anywhere from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 to carry out the tasks listed by the government. It is unfair to place this entire burden on the heads of headmasters. The Tamil Nadu government, which has allocated several hundred crores for the breakfast scheme, faces no obstacle in allocating a few lakhs more to provide these facilities. Without doing that, forcing these expenses on headmasters cannot be accepted. Teachers cannot manage this.
Because the government did not allocate funds to provide basic facilities at direct paddy procurement centers and government liquor shops, and instead burdened the employees with it, a situation arose where Rs. 60 per sack is being collected at procurement centers and Rs. 10 per bottle at government liquor shops. The government is struggling to eradicate that culture. If that same culture is extended to schools as well, it will create the possibility of mistakes happening there too. Mistakes should not be taught in schools, which are meant to teach honesty and discipline.
Therefore, the circular related to this, which has been sent by the District Educational Officer to the schools where the breakfast scheme is to be implemented, should be withdrawn immediately. He has insisted that the government should bear the cost of name boards, plates, tumblers, and other facilities for the breakfast scheme.