Midday Meal Scheme
The Midday Meal Scheme is launched by the Ministry of education. The main purpose of this scheme is to provide a nutritional meal for school-going children. The scheme is covered 1- 8th class children of the school. Initially the Madras municipal corporation start providing a meal to 1 - 5th students. Now it is a centrally sponsored scheme.
The objective of the Midday Meal Scheme
The scheme has an objective which is as below.
1. To enhancement of children who are from disadvantaged sections in the school.
2. To increase the attendance of the children at school.
3. To conserve children who are studying in 1 - 8 classes.
4. To provide nutritional food for children at the stage of drought-affected areas.
Implementation of the Midday meal scheme
1. Decentralized model: Make a meal on-site with a local cook and self-help group.
2. Centralized Model: An external institute cook food and deliver it to school.
3. International Assistance: International charity institutions help government schools.
Current Status of Midday meal scheme
1. The scheme is running under the name of PM Poshan shakti Nirman Or PM Poshan in 2021.
2. Currently more than 12 crores are all over India.
3. The scheme is covered under the National food security Act 2013.
The food allocation system of the scheme
Nutrition allocation for primary classes: food grains 100 gms, pulses 20 gms, vegetables 50 gms, oil and fats 5 gms, etc.
Nutrition allocation for upper primary classes: food grains 150 gms, pulses 30 gms, vegetables 75 gms, oil and fats 7.5 gms, etc.
Challenges faced by the Midday Meal scheme
1.Corruption
2. Discrimination and cast bias
3. Malnutrition
Conclusion
The scheme is all about providing nutritional facilities to school children. The various state and UT are took the advantage of the scheme and provide nutrition hoot food for the student. The scheme is helpful for the development of students under the age of 6- 14.
