PM-POSHAN Scheme: School Children in Bihar To Get Eggs in Their Mid Day Meal

PM-POSHAN Scheme in Bihar expands its midday meal menu, providing eggs or seasonal fruits for an additional 15 days to school children, aligning with its mission to enhance nutritional support for the nation’s youth

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Introduction: PM-POSHAN Scheme

The PM-POSHAN Scheme, formerly known as the Mid Day Meal Scheme, is a crucial initiative by the Indian government aimed at improving the nutritional well-being of school-age children across the country. The scheme has recently introduced a significant enhancement in its menu for January and February 2024 in Bihar, providing eggs or seasonal fruits to students for an additional 15 days. This decision was communicated through a directive issued by the Director of the Midday Meal Scheme in Bihar.

Details of the Enhancement:

From January 27 to February 17, 2024, students in government primary and upper primary schools, government-aided Anganwadis, Madarsas, and Maqtabs in Bihar will receive an egg or seasonal fruit along with their daily midday meal. This move is a commendable step toward further enriching the nutritional content of the meals provided to the children.

Additionally, the Directorate has set the price for eggs at ₹6 per egg for the months of January and February, ensuring transparency in the procurement process.

Background of the PM-POSHAN Scheme:

The PM-POSHAN Scheme, previously known as the Mid Day Meal Scheme, has been a flagship program catering to the nutritional needs of school children in India. The scheme, operational since the early 1960s, has evolved over the years, and its legal framework is now governed by the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Under the PM-POSHAN Scheme, the government has taken significant steps to enhance the nutritional intake of children. In September 2021, the Ministry of Education renamed the scheme to Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN), emphasizing the focus on building the nutritional strength of the nation.

Expansion of PM-POSHAN Scheme:

Ajay Kumar, the Director of Poshan Abhiyaan, revealed that the scheme has expanded its coverage. In addition to the existing beneficiaries, an additional 24 lakh students in pre-primary education at government and government-aided schools are set to be included under the PM-POSHAN Scheme by 2022.

Key Points:

• The Midday Meal Scheme, now PM-POSHAN, is the world’s largest school meal program, serving 120 million children in over 1.27 million schools and Education Guarantee Scheme centers.
• The scheme, which started in Tamil Nadu and expanded nationwide by 2002, has its roots in the post-independent era.
• The legal backing to the program is provided by the National Food Security Act, 2013, similar to the legal support in the United States through the National School Lunch Act.

Q & A

What is Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman?

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), formerly recognized as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools, stands as a prominent rights-based Centrally Sponsored Scheme governed by the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).

What is the PM Shri POSHAN scheme?

PM POSHAN, which stands for Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment, is a centrally sponsored initiative led by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education. This scheme aims to furnish one hot cooked meal to students attending Government and Government-aided schools.

Which State in India is a Pioneer in Launching PM-Poshan scheme?

Tamil Nadu pioneered the introduction of the Midday Meal Scheme in India, with the inaugural implementation taking place at Sourashtra Boys Higher Secondary School, Madurai, in 1955. Responding to its positive impact, the Supreme Court mandated all state governments to initiate the program in their schools within six months on November 28, 2001. This initiative not only addressed educational accessibility for impoverished families but also significantly boosted school attendance, as parents were motivated by the prospect of providing their children with free nutritious meals.

Conclusion:

The recent decision to include eggs or seasonal fruits in the midday meals for an additional 15 days in Bihar underlines the government’s commitment to the well-being of school children. The PM-POSHAN Scheme, with its continuous evolution and expansion, stands as a testament to India’s dedication to fulfilling its commitment to providing adequate nutritious food for children, as outlined in international conventions such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This initiative not only addresses the immediate nutritional needs of students but also contributes to the overall development and health of the nation’s future generations.

Resource: PM-POSHAN Scheme