Mid Day Meal Program: Positive and Negative side
The Mid-day Meal Scheme/Program established By P. V. Narasimha Rao on 1995. For improving the nutritional status of children and increase school enrolment and attendance. This program provides free lunch to government organised school of primary section (1st to 8th) and Aganwadis.
It was initially implemented in a few states and later expanded to cover the entire country. The program is managed jointly by the central and state governments, and the food is provided by the central government.
Under the program, a mid-day meal with a nutritional content of 450-700 calories and 12-20 grams of protein is provided to every child studying in classes 1-8. The meal typically includes rice, dal, vegetables, and other local dishes. The food is cooked in hygienic conditions in the school premises or in a centralized kitchen and served to the children during the lunch break.
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Positive View about program:
The Mid Day Meal Program (MDMP) is a school meal program in India aimed at providing free and nutritious meals to children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The program has had a significant impact on the education and health of children across the country. Here are some of the positive sides of the program:
- Increased enrolment and attendance: The MDMP has played a crucial role in increasing the enrolment and attendance of children in schools. It acts as an incentive for parents to send their children to school regularly, which in turn leads to higher levels of education and better future prospects.
- Improved nutrition and health: The program provides a balanced and nutritious meal to children, which helps in improving their overall health and well-being. It has also been found to reduce malnutrition, anaemia, and other health issues among children.
- Boost to local economies: The program has created employment opportunities for women, who are typically involved in cooking and serving the meals. It has also helped in boosting the local economy by creating demand for locally produced food items.
- Social equality: The program has played a significant role in promoting social equality by providing a level playing field for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has also helped in reducing caste and gender-based discrimination.
- Reduction in child labour: The program has helped in reducing the incidence of child labour as it acts as an incentive for parents to send their children to school rather than making them work.
Overall, the Mid Day Meal Program has had a positive impact on the education, health, and overall well-being of children in India, and has played an important role in promoting social equality and reducing poverty.
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Negative view about program:
The Midday Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a school meal program launched by the Government of India to provide free lunch to school children studying in government and government-aided schools. While the program has had many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to the scheme. Here are some of the drawbacks of the midday meal program in India:
- Quality of Food: One of the major drawbacks of the midday meal program is the quality of the food. The quality of the food served under the scheme is often poor and lacks essential nutrients. Sometimes, the food is also contaminated, which can cause health problems among children.
- Infrastructure: Another major drawback of the midday meal program is the lack of infrastructure in schools to implement the program effectively. Many schools lack proper kitchens, utensils, and storage facilities, which can lead to hygiene issues and affect the quality of the food.
- Corruption: The midday meal program is also plagued by corruption. There have been instances where officials and contractors have siphoned off funds meant for the program or provided substandard food to children.
- Lack of Nutritional Diversity: The midday meal program often lacks nutritional diversity, which can lead to deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. The menu is usually limited to rice, dal, and vegetables, which may not provide a balanced diet to children.
- Dependence on the Program: Some critics argue that the midday meal program creates a dependence on the scheme among children and their families. Children may continue to attend school only to receive the free meal, rather than for the purpose of education.
Overall, while the midday meal program has had many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to the scheme. The government needs to address these issues to ensure that the program continues to provide nutritious meals to children and helps improve their health and education outcomes.
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Conclusion:
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme in India, launched in 1995, aims to provide nutritious food to school children to improve their health, attendance, and academic performance. Despite some challenges in implementation, the program has been largely successful in achieving its objectives. It has helped increase enrolment, reduce absenteeism, and improve the nutritional status of children in government schools. The program has also been instrumental in addressing social and economic disparities by providing a level playing field for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of quality, hygiene, and monitoring mechanisms. Overall, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been a positive intervention in the Indian education system.
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FAQ:
How successful is mid day meal program?
The mid-day meal program in India has been successful in improving enrollment and attendance rates in schools, as well as reducing malnutrition and increasing the health of children. However, there have been some challenges in terms of quality and safety of the meals provided.
What is the weakness of mid day meal program?
The mid-day meal program in India has faced several challenges such as poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, lack of proper storage facilities, and lack of trained personnel. There have also been instances of food poisoning and contamination due to poor hygiene and quality control. Additionally, the program has not been able to reach all the children in need, particularly in remote and marginalized areas.
What is the main reason to launch mid day meal program?
The main reason for starting the mid-day meal program in India was to address the issues of malnutrition, hunger, and low enrolment and attendance rates in schools, especially among children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program aimed to provide a nutritious meal to children to improve their health and encourage them to attend school regularly.
which state is best in mid meal program?
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Kerala are some of the states that have performed well in terms of the quality and coverage of the program. These states have invested in improving the infrastructure, hygiene, and quality control measures to ensure that the meals provided are nutritious and safe for children.
Which state have very worst condition of mid day meal program?
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand are among the states that have faced significant challenges in the program’s implementation. These states have reported cases of food poisoning, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient funds, leading to poor quality and inadequate meals.
What are the new changes of mid day meal program?
The introduction of new menu items to provide a more diverse and nutritious diet, the use of technology to monitor the program’s implementation and improve transparency, and the provision of additional funds to improve infrastructure and kitchen facilities. Additionally, efforts have been made to increase community participation and involvement in the program.