The plan to give free milk in Rawalpindi Division government schools has been put off. This defferment brought a broken heart of many children who enjoyed delicious and cold milk for the first time everyday on roti at home and those bread winners parents who helped them get education by working 12 hours each day out of which eight was manual labor. The Education Department had promised this initiative to take off, with the announcement that it would start when a new academic session does after summer vacations. However, the program has yet to begin because of a lack of funds.
Financial Crisis Hits Education Sector
In Punjab, besides the closure of PSM facilities in 2018, Australia also halted its milk distribution program due to financial crisis. Sources in the Education Department said that under such pressure, it is also difficult for the province to allocate Rs 45 billion for concessions on electricity as well. The share has now caused the government to put off a milk scheme which hundreds of students stood to benefit.
Limited Launch of the Program
Originally, the free milk program was to be launched in all primary schools of Punjab. Yet the program was greatly scaled back because of continuing financial constraints. It will thus see a limited pilot in two far-flung districts of South Punjab instead of an across-the-province launch. The pilot program is expected to begin in mid-September, and could expand to additional districts if it works well — and once funds are available.
No Milk Until August 31
In addition, the producers are also out of funds essential and distribution cycle has stopped complete through at least August 31 as well. So at the end of the month, no school anywhere in Ontario will have received a single drop of milk, when they were all supposed to start offering it daily as part of their food programs on August 15. The delay has met with disappointment among both educators and parents, who considered the program to be an essential part of student health and attendance.
Concerns Raised by Teachers
Reacting to the development, Abdul Rauf Kayani, President of Rawalpindi District Primary Schools Teachers’ Association said he is grieved over this delay. He said the program ensures students receive nutritional sustenance vital to their growth and well-being, as many come from low-income families. The delay not only affects the student’s health but also his or her ability to focus and do well in school. Equivalent to weeks of instruction that teachers from across the province had been eagerly awaiting for this program and its delay as a significant set-back.
Conclusion
This is a big failure of the education department to have free milk program in schools launched so late and its worst affected will be students who were about to benefit with this plan. The limited funding has led the government to scale back its plans and it now intends just a two-district pilot in mid-September. The initiative will be evaluated based on the success of this pilot before expanding to other regions. Meanwhile, students in Punjab will lend their weight to the tall promises that were made.
FAQs
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FREE MILK PROGRAM?
The program has been delayed due to unprecedented financial challenges in the Punjab, which were exacerbated by a Rs. 45 billion allocation for power concessions provided at that time of need.
What time will the distribution of milk start?
The pilot is now set to begin in mid-September in two far-flung districts of South Punjab.
Q: Will the program expand to other districts?
Whether the program is expanded into other districts will largely depend on how well it works during the test stage and whether adequate funding exists, Eberwein said.
What is the impact of this delay on students?
The original deadline has slipped, which means until at least August 31 these students will go without the promised milk affecting their nutritional needs and possible school performance.