Extension of PM-Poshan Scheme to Include Breakfast

The proposal by several states and Union Territories, including Rajasthan, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, and Delhi, seeks to extend the Centre's midday-meal scheme, PM-Poshan, to add a breakfast provision in government and government-aided schools. This initiative is both timely and commendable.

Background and Rationale

• The Education Ministry had previously proposed this addition, but it was turned down by the Ministry of Finance in 2021-22.
• Aligning national policy with nutritional and educational realities is essential, recognizing that learning begins with the first meal of the day.

Benefits of Breakfast Scheme

• The National Education Policy 2020 highlights that the morning hours post a nutritious breakfast are productive for studying cognitively demanding subjects.
• Studies indicate that a morning meal improves nutrition continuity, increases attendance, enhances attention, and promotes equity in classrooms.
• The example of Tamil Nadu's breakfast program, launched in 2022, demonstrates substantial improvements in attendance and health outcomes, reaching about 24 lakh students.

State and UT Proposals

• 11 other states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Meghalaya, advocate for the scheme's extension to students up to Class XII.

Cost and Benefits

• The Centre estimates the additional cost of a nationwide breakfast rollout at approximately Rs 6,000 crore annually.
• This cost is considered a worthwhile investment compared to the downstream burdens of remedial education, healthcare, and lost productivity.

Implementation Considerations

• This initiative must be framed as more than a meal, focusing on education, health, and inclusive growth.
• Implementation requires attention to logistics, such as kitchen infrastructure, supply chains, hygiene, nutritional guidelines, balanced meals, monitoring, and community engagement.
• Addressing the strain on those managing the midday-meal network is crucial. Anganwadi and ASHA workers have highlighted low pay and excessive workloads through strikes.

Conclusion

Welcoming the states' proposal should be accompanied by a commitment to fairness and feasibility, ensuring that frontline workers are adequately supported if the program expands.