Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme

About

The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched on 15^th August, 199 5 and being continued now as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with the objective of increasing enrolment, attendance and retention of children studying in primary classes (I-V) in Government, Government-aided and Local Body Schools and to provide nutritional support simultaneously. Over the years, the scheme has undergone several changes¹w ith regard to coverage, quantity of food grains and financial assistance.

In the year 2008-09, the sch eme was extended to upper primary classess. The name of the scheme has been changed t o ‘National Programme of Mid Day Meal in Schools’ and is popularly known as Mid Day Meal Scheme.

Objectives

The objectives of the scheme are:

• Improve nutritional status of the children in classes I to VIII of Government, Local Body and Government-Aided S chools, Special Training Centres (STC), Mad arsas and Maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
• Encouraging poor children belonging to disadvantaged sections to attend school more regularly and help them c oncentrate on classroom activities.
• Providing nutritional supp ort to children of elementary stage in drou ght-affected areas during summer vacation.

Beneficiary:

Children of Government School in class I to VIII.

Benefits:

Children of elementary age get nutritional support.