Urgent Call for Fund Release to Support Midday Meal Scheme in Assam Schools

Schools in Assam are struggling to implement the midday meal scheme due to delayed funding, prompting the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association to demand immediate action. With many schools unable to provide meals starting November 1, the association has raised concerns about new directives that could burden teachers financially. They urge the authorities to release pending funds and revise the current policies to prevent teachers from taking on contractor roles. The situation highlights the urgent need for a practical solution to ensure the continuity of this essential program for students.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 1, 2026, 11:47 IST

Concerns Over Midday Meal Implementation

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Guwahati, Nov 1: Schools in Assam are facing significant challenges in executing the midday meal program due to a prolonged delay in fund disbursement. The Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA) has called on Samagra Shiksha Assam to promptly settle the overdue payments, warning that many institutions may be unable to provide meals to students starting November 1.

In two formal requests submitted to the Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha Assam, the association also criticized recent directives concerning the use of school infrastructure grants, claiming that the new policy would effectively convert teachers into contractors.

The association highlighted the financial strain on schools, noting that head teachers have been sourcing food items for the midday meal scheme on credit from local vendors for several months. However, with outstanding debts amounting to thousands and even lakhs of rupees, shopkeepers are now refusing to extend further credit.

This predicament has made it increasingly challenging for schools to maintain the scheme, the association emphasized.

ASPTA president Ratul Chandra Goswami and general secretary Sailendra Kalita urged the authorities to release the pending funds without delay and ensure timely allocation of resources for the effective operation of the scheme.

They also requested that no punitive measures be taken against teachers if schools are unable to provide midday meals from November 1 due to financial constraints.

In a separate communication, the association expressed strong opposition to directives issued in various districts regarding the use of infrastructure and other school grants for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Referring to instructions from the Hojai district on October 27 and Sivasagar district on October 26, the association claimed that the proposed system would indirectly compel teachers to take on contractor-like roles.

“Teachers do not wish to become contractors,” the association stated, voicing concerns over the financial implications of the new directives.

They pointed out that teachers cannot obtain purchase receipts from suppliers without upfront payments. If teachers are required to buy materials using their own funds and later submit bills, they risk financial losses if the department pays suppliers directly.

The association feared that suppliers might not reimburse teachers who had already paid for materials, leaving them exposed to financial exploitation.

Labeling the arrangement unacceptable, the association insisted that teachers would not be able to utilize infrastructure grants unless the current directives are amended.

They also cautioned that teachers should not be held accountable if school infrastructure deteriorates due to their inability to utilize allocated funds under the existing framework.

The association demanded the immediate retraction of the directives and the establishment of a feasible mechanism for utilizing school grants without imposing extra financial burdens on teachers.

Both requests were submitted to the Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha Assam at Kahilipara.