Health & Education standing committee

 

Chairperson: Varun Chandran
Members: K. Shobha
 : P. Sulochana

 

 

Major Responsibilities of the Committee

The Health and Education Standing Committee is another important Standing Committee in Grama Panchayats in Kerala. The Committee oversees vital areas such as public health, sanitation, primary education, sports, and culture.

The major information regarding the Committee is given below:

1. Composition and Chairperson

  • Chairperson: A member democratically elected by the members of the Committee from among themselves serves as the Chairperson/Chairman of the Committee.
  • Members: The Committee consists of a prescribed number of members elected from among the other members of the Panchayat governing body.

2. Major Responsibilities and Powers

The Committee is responsible for planning and overseeing matters related to health and education within the jurisdiction of the Grama Panchayat, including the following:

A) Health Sector

  • Supervision of Health Centres: Review the functioning of Family Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Ayurveda and Homoeopathic hospitals under the Panchayat.
  • Prevention of Communicable Diseases: Organise preventive measures and awareness programmes to control the spread of communicable diseases such as dengue fever and leptospirosis.
  • Sanitation and Waste Management: Ensure public sanitation within the Panchayat and lead the activities of Haritha Karma Sena and various waste management programmes.
  • Food Safety: Take necessary steps to ensure hygiene and quality standards in hotels, shops, and other food establishments.

B) Education Sector

  • Development of Schools: Improve the physical infrastructure of Government/Aided Lower Primary and Upper Primary schools within the Panchayat, including buildings, drinking water facilities, and sanitation facilities.
  • Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Ensure that the distribution of mid-day meals in schools is carried out properly and hygienically.
  • Quality of Education: Plan special programmes and scholarships aimed at improving the learning outcomes and educational standards of children.

C) Other Sectors

  • Anganwadis: Monitor the provision of nutritional support to children and pregnant women, as well as the basic infrastructure and facilities of Anganwadis.
  • Arts, Sports and Culture: Promote the protection and maintenance of local playgrounds, sports competitions, cultural festivals, and the functioning of public libraries.

3. Importance

The Committee plays an important role in determining the quality of life and health of the people and the development of a healthy generation. Through decentralised planning at the grassroots level, the Committee continuously works to ensure that government programmes and services reach the people directly.