Essay on Mid Day Meals or Mid Day Meal Scheme

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme in India was launched on August 15, 1995, as the ‘National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE)’. It aims to improve child nutrition, increase school attendance, and reduce dropout rates by providing free meals to school children. This initiative is one of the largest school meal programs globally and has positively impacted millions of students across the country.

Under the scheme, nutritious meals including rice, dal, vegetables, and fruits are served to children in hygienic conditions following nutritional guidelines. This helps in reducing malnutrition among children, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and contributes to their overall health and well-being.

Additionally, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has led to a rise in school enrollment and attendance rates as children are motivated to attend school regularly to receive these nutritious meals. This has also improved their concentration and academic performance.

In September 2021, the scheme was renamed ‘PM POSHAN’ or Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, extending hot cooked meals to students in pre-primary levels as well. The revamped scheme focuses on monitoring students' nutritional levels, appointing nutritional experts in schools, and promoting nutrition gardens on school campuses.

Despite its benefits, the scheme faces challenges such as child malnutrition, caste-based discrimination in meal distribution, and quality of food concerns. Efforts are needed to address these issues and ensure effective implementation to improve children's health, education, and overall well-being nationwide.