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.
