Ludhiana: The one-day strike called by the Mid-Day Meal Workers Union on Feb 12 drew mixed responses across govt schools in Ludhiana, with some schools reporting full staff attendance while others seeing cooks and helpers abstaining from duty.The union had announced that mid-day meal workers and cook/helpers in govt schools nationwide would participate in the strike. However, ahead of the protest, the education department issued directions that mid-day meals must not be disrupted, even if cooks and helpers chose to stay away. Schools were instructed to make alternative arrangements to ensure uninterrupted meal service for students. They were also told that the day’s expenses should be covered through cooking cost funds, so that no child was left without their mid-day meal.
As the strike unfolded on Wednesday, the situation varied across the district. Several govt schools located in the outer areas of Ludhiana reported that their mid-day meal staff reported for duty despite the strike call. School officials in these areas said meals were prepared and served without any disruption.In contrast, schools in the central parts of the city witnessed noticeable absenteeism among mid-day meal workers and cooks. However, officials said they had already prepared for the possibility of staff absence, following departmental instructions issued in advance.In schools with large student strength, teachers stepped in to help ensure meals were served on time. Some schools arranged for temporary cooks from outside to handle meal preparation in the absence of regular workers.A principal from a govt senior secondary school in Ludhiana said that around 14 mid-day meal workers and cooks are usually present daily, but most were absent due to the strike. “We had to arrange cooks from outside and pay them from the available funds for the day. Teachers also helped to ensure that mid-day meals were not disrupted,” the principal said.Another govt school principal, whose school is located on the outskirts of the city, said the strike had little impact there. “Maybe these female cooks and workers were unaware of the strike call, as they all reported for duty. We had made prior arrangements, but they were ultimately not needed,” the principal said.Across the district, officials reiterated that schools had been clearly directed to maintain regular mid-day meal service regardless of the strike. The preparedness ensured that students’ meals were served without interruption in most parts of Ludhiana, even as participation in the strike varied widely between rural fringes and central city schools.Alternative arrangements made–Mid-day meal workers union held a one-day strike on February 12 across govt schools –Schools were told to use cooking cost funds to manage meal preparation for the day –Govt schools in outer areas of Ludhiana reported staff attendance despite the strike call –Schools in the central city areas witnessed absenteeism among mid-day meal workers and cooks –Schools had made prior arrangements as instructed by the dept to avoid disruption –In high-enrolment schools, teachers helped serve meals in the absence of mid-day meal staff –Some schools arranged temporary cooks from outside, paying them from available funds –A principal said 14 regular workers were absent, and outside cooks had to be hired –Another principal from the outskirts said their mid-day meal staff came to work, possibly unaware of the strike
