School Meal Programmes in India: An Overview
School meal programmes in India, particularly the midday meal schemes, have shown measurable gains by improving attendance, learning capabilities, and reducing long-term health risks among students.
Importance of Providing Breakfast
- A recommendation from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, providing breakfast can enhance productivity for challenging subjects, especially in the morning hours.
- Seven States and Union Territories have requested the Centre to extend breakfast provision under the PM-POSHAN scheme.
Nutritional Landscape in India
- The United Nations' 2025 SOFI report highlights India having the highest rates of child wasting (18.7%), stunting, and anaemia among women aged 15-49.
- The Constitution of India emphasizes the Right to Food under Article 21 and highlights the state's duty under Article 47 to improve nutrition and public health.
Initiatives and Policies
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) began in 1975 to improve child nutrition and maternal health.
- Followed by the introduction of the National Nutrition Policy in 1993 and the National Nutrition Mission in 2018.
- The midday meal scheme was renamed as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) in 2021.
Key Features of PM POSHAN
- Provides fortified meals with iron, folic acid, and vitamins.
- Encourages donor-driven meals and nutrition gardens in schools.
- Improves education and nutrition through higher enrollment, better attendance, and reducing dropouts.
Social and Cultural Challenges
- Despite policies, social discrimination based on caste persists in some areas during meal distributions.
- Protein deficiency is noted, with challenges in including eggs and meat due to cultural preferences.
International Comparisons
- Brazil's National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and Japan’s school meal programs serve as models with direct procurement and nutrition education.
Suggestions for Improvement
- Increase per-child cost norms to enhance meal quality and diversity.
- Revise menus regularly to avoid monotony and improve standards.
- Strengthen infrastructure, kitchen facilities, and hygiene practices.
State Initiatives
- States like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Delhi propose adding breakfast to meal programs.
- Tamil Nadu's breakfast scheme offers region-specific nutritious meals.
Conclusion
The PM POSHAN scheme is not merely about nutrition; it is pivotal in enhancing educational access, promoting social equity, and ensuring holistic child development. There is a need for dietary recommendations to tackle non-communicable diseases, and the 2025 Delhi initiative aims to educate students on the health impacts of processed foods.