Context:
• Several States and Union Territories have urged the Centre to expand the PM-Poshan scheme to include breakfast in all government and aided schools.
• The proposal aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which highlights the importance of a nutritious morning meal for cognitive productivity and classroom engagement.
Key Highlights
- Proposal for Breakfast Inclusion
- States/UTs propose expanding PM-Poshan to serve breakfast, not just the midday meal.
- Targets all children in government and government-aided schools.
- NEP 2020 Alignment
- NEP emphasizes that the morning hours are optimal for learning after a healthy breakfast.
- States cite evidence showing improved cognitive performance post-nutrition.
- Tamil Nadu’s Success Model
- Tamil Nadu’s 2022 breakfast scheme reached 24 lakh students, improving:
• Attendance
• Classroom focus
• Health outcomes - Serves as a blueprint for national replication.
- Budgetary Requirements
- The Centre estimates a ₹6,000 crore annual cost for nationwide breakfast coverage.
Significance
- Breakfast as a Foundation for Learning
- Studies demonstrate that a morning meal:
• Ensures nutritional continuity
• Enhances attention span
• Increases attendance
• Reduces classroom inequities - Recognises that learning begins with the first meal, not just the midday meal.
- Wider Demand Across States
- Apart from the initial set of states/UTs, 11 others (including Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Meghalaya) want PM-Poshan expanded up to Class XII.
- Indicates broad political and administrative support.
- Social Sector Investment
- The initiative should be seen as an investment in:
• Education
• Health
• Human capital development
• Inclusive growth - Nutrition and schooling outcomes are interlinked, especially for children from disadvantaged households.
- Implementation Challenges
- Scaling the program requires robust focus on:
• Kitchen infrastructure
• Timely food supply chains
• Trained staff
• Hygiene standards
• Nutritional guidelines for balanced morning meals
- Addressing Worker Welfare
- Anganwadi workers, cooks, helpers, and ASHA workers form the backbone of the meal ecosystem.
- Their workload, honorarium, and welfare must be addressed for the success of a breakfast + midday meal system.
Prelims Focus
- Features and objectives of PM-Poshan (previously Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
- NEP 2020 school education reforms.
Mains Relevance
GS 2 – Governance / Social Justice
- School nutrition programs
- Human capital development
- Centre–State coordination in welfare schemes
- Inclusive education & equity
GS 3 – Economy
- Budgetary allocations for social protection
- Cost–benefit of nutrition investments
Possible Mains Question
- Evaluate the need for including breakfast in the PM-Poshan scheme. How can this reform strengthen educational outcomes and social equity in India?