Why in the News?

• A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended expanding the PM POSHAN Scheme to include breakfast and extending coverage up to Class 12.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About PM POSHAN Scheme (Objectives, Coverage, Components, Budget, Achievements, etc.)
• News Summary (Key Recommendations of the Committee)

PM POSHAN Scheme

• The PM POSHAN Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is the restructured version of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, launched in 2021.
• It is one of the world’s largest school nutrition programmes aimed at improving the nutritional status of children and enhancing school participation.
• Objectives
  • Improving nutritional levels among school children
  • Increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance in schools
  • Reducing dropout rates, especially among disadvantaged groups
  • Promoting social equity by encouraging children from different backgrounds to eat together
• Coverage and Beneficiaries
  • The scheme currently provides one cooked meal per day to:
    • Students of government and government-aided schools
    • Students studying from Class 1 to Class 8
• Components of the Scheme
• Hot Cooked Meals: Nutritious meals prepared as per prescribed calorific and protein norms
• Nutritional Standards: Meals designed to meet daily energy and protein requirements
• Supplementary Nutrition: Inclusion of local and seasonal foods
• School Nutrition Gardens: Promotion of locally grown vegetables and fruits
• Monitoring Mechanisms: Use of technology for real-time monitoring and quality checks
• Budget and Funding Pattern
  • The scheme is centrally sponsored, with funding shared between the Centre and States.
  • The overall budget for PM POSHAN (2021-26) is over Rs. 1.3 lakh crore
  • The Centre bears a major share of the cost, while States contribute the remaining portion
• Key Achievements
  • ~11.80 crore children are covered under the scheme
  • Around 100+ crore meals served per month
  • Nutritional Standards Achieved
    • Primary (Classes 1-5): 450 calories, 12 grams of protein
    • Upper Primary (Classes 6-8): 700 calories, 20 grams of protein

News Summary

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has recommended significant reforms to strengthen the PM POSHAN Scheme.
• Proposal to Introduce Breakfast
  • The Committee has suggested that schools should provide at least a light breakfast along with the existing midday meal.
  • Morning nutrition is expected to improve concentration and cognitive performance

• Expansion of Coverage
• The Committee recommended expanding the scheme in a phased manner:
• Immediate extension up to Class 10
• Gradual expansion up to Class 12 within five years

• Focus on Adolescent Nutrition
  • The Committee highlighted that adolescence is a critical stage of growth.

• Stopping nutritional support after Class 8 leaves a gap during an important developmental phase
• Adequate nutrition during this stage can prevent long-term health issues
• It can also reduce dropout rates, particularly among girls
• Link Between Nutrition and Education
• The Committee emphasised that nutrition and education are closely linked.
• Students in Classes 10 and 12 face academic pressure due to board exams
• Proper nutrition can improve focus, memory, and overall academic performance
• Other Recommendations
• Extending the benefits of PM-SHRI schools to more government schools
• Ensuring the timely release of funds under Samagra Shiksha
• Addressing resource concentration in select institutions

Significance of the Proposed Changes

• The proposed reforms have wider implications for India’s education and health systems.
• Addressing Malnutrition: Expanding the scheme will help tackle malnutrition among adolescents, which remains a major public health issue in India.
• Improving Learning Outcomes: Better nutrition directly contributes to improved cognitive abilities and academic performance.
• Promoting Gender Equity: Nutritional support for older students, especially girls, can reduce dropout rates and encourage continued education.
• Strengthening Human Capital: Investing in nutrition and education simultaneously enhances human capital development, which is crucial for long-term economic growth.