Schools Demand Breakfast Under Midday Meal Scheme — Pushing the Envelope of Nutrition Policy

In a significant policy development, seven states and Union Territories have formally requested the Union Government to expand the PM-POSHAN (Midday Meal Scheme) to include a breakfast component.

This proposal stems from growing concerns over child undernutrition, classroom hunger, and learning outcomes, and is directly inspired by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates providing breakfast along with midday meals to improve attendance, concentration, and overall learning.

Background

• The Midday Meal Scheme, introduced in 1995, is one of the world’s largest school feeding programmes, aimed at improving nutritional levels and school attendance among children.
• In 2021, it was renamed PM-POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) and extended to cover students from Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided schools.
• The NEP 2020 (para 27.3) recommended the provision of breakfast in addition to the midday meal, citing research linking morning nutrition to better cognitive performance.
• Currently, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Puducherry have implemented state-funded breakfast schemes, showing positive outcomes.

The Current Proposal

1. Participating States & UTs:
   States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, and Assam (among others) have written to the Ministry of Education seeking central approval and funding support.
2. Justification:
   • Large numbers of children arrive at school without breakfast, especially from low-income or tribal families.
   • Providing breakfast could improve attendance rates, energy levels, and academic focus.
3. Implementation Model (Proposed):
   • Breakfast of 150–200 kcal value before classes begin.
   • Menu options: poha, upma, idli, boiled eggs, milk, or fortified food.
   • Cost-sharing pattern: similar to PM-POSHAN (Centre:State ratio 60:40, 90:10 for NE & Himalayan states).

Nutritional and Educational Significance

• Nutrition Link: Morning meals help stabilize glucose levels, crucial for concentration and learning performance.
• Gender & Equity Lens: Improved nutrition particularly benefits girls, who are more likely to skip breakfast in food-insecure households.
• Long-Term Impact: Evidence from UNICEF and NITI Aayog studies suggests that breakfast provision can reduce stunting, anemia, and micronutrient deficiencies.

Challenges

1. Fiscal Constraints:
   States already face funding gaps under PM-POSHAN; adding breakfast may require budgetary expansion and logistical coordination.
2. Implementation Bottlenecks:
   Infrastructure for cooking and serving two meals per day is lacking in many schools.
3. Quality & Monitoring:
   Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and consistent quality across districts remains a persistent challenge.
4. Centre-State Coordination:
   The scheme’s success depends on joint accountability and timely fund release.

Government’s Stand

• The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the states’ requests and is examining the feasibility of extending PM-POSHAN to include breakfast.
• A pilot study may be launched in selected aspirational districts before nationwide rollout.
• The move aligns with India’s broader nutrition convergence agenda, linking education, health, and social welfare schemes.

Policy and Institutional Framework

• PM-POSHAN is governed under the National Food Security Act, 2013, which guarantees nutritious meals to schoolchildren.
• Convergence Schemes:
  • Poshan Abhiyaan (MoWCD)
  • Anemia Mukt Bharat (MoHFW)
  • Saksham Anganwadi & Nutrition 2.0
• Constitutional Backing:
  • Article 21A: Right to Education
  • Article 47: State’s duty to raise nutrition and public health levels