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  • Jul 23, 2021
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Discuss the importance and the impact of the Mid-day meal scheme.

Introduction:

A recent study conducted by the experts of International Food Policy Research Institute has concluded that the mid-day meal scheme leaves a long-lasting impact in the children. The scheme was first introduced in the year 1995. The objective of the scheme is to provide a minimum energy requirement of 450kcal of food in government schools.

Body:

This scheme is active under Ministry of education. India is suffering due to malnutrition. According to surveys conducted, one in every 3 children have stunted height. In purview of this with the expansion of the budget in 2011 more funds were started to be allocated for the scheme. Thus scheme grew over 45% during this period.

Features:

Source: Wikipedia

The scheme works in both centralized and decentralized models. There is also partnership with national and international organizations. Ex: Akshayapatra foundation by ISKCON. In the decentralized mechanism the schools itself are the cooking places and self help groups are assigned the task of cooking and providing the food. In centralized model various NGO’s have come up with the task of preparation and distribution of food.

The monitoring is done in multiple levels since there is cause of concern related to the nutritional requirement and also the way in which food is prepared.

Impact:

  • Attracting children towards school
  • Improves attendance and regularity
  • Nutritional requirements are fulfilled to atleast some extent
  • Employment for women who work in SHG.

Conclusion:

India is a large food insecure population. Global Hunger Index also supports this claim. Thus we can say that improving child nutrition is an important initiative.