The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a school meal programme in India designed to improve the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide. Launched in 1995, this scheme provides free lunches on working days for children in every primary and upper primary class in government, government-aided, and local body schools. The scheme was further extended to cover children studying in the Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS), Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE) centres, Madarsa, and Maqtabs schools supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (source: education.gov.in, 2014). The importance of mid-day meals in India cannot be denied since they play a crucial role in bringing children back to school.
What is the Main Aim of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme?
The main aim of the mid-day meal programme is to address hunger and education. By providing nutritious meals, it aims to improve the nutritional status of schoolchildren, encourage regular school attendance, and enhance their ability to concentrate and learn. Additionally, the programme seeks to promote social equality by bringing children from different social backgrounds together to share a common meal.
Benefits of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme
- Increasing Enrolment in Schools:- Free meals attract children from economically weaker sections to attend school.
- Increasing Attendance:- Regular meals serve as an incentive for students to attend school daily.
- Reducing Drop-out Rates:- Many children continue schooling primarily because of the guaranteed meal.
- Mitigating Classroom Hunger:- Helps children focus better by addressing immediate hunger during school hours.
- Improving Concentration and Learning Outcomes:- A nutritious meal improves cognitive performance and attention span.
- Promoting Social Equity:- Children of different castes and backgrounds eat together, promoting unity and breaking social barriers.
- Empowering Women through Employment:- Local women, often from self-help groups, are employed as cooks and helpers, supporting livelihoods.