PURATCHI THALAIVAR M.G.R. NUTRITIOUS MEAL PROGRAMME
Education lays the foundation for the development of a society and hunger becomes an impediment to learning. Keeping this vision, the Nutritious Meal Programme was introduced by the then Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. on 01.07.1982. The main objective of the programme is to emphasize on education along with nutrition. Under this programme free hot cooked nutritious meal is being provided to children in Government Schools, Government aided Schools, Special Training Centres, Madarasas, Maktabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abiyan and also in Special Schools functioning under National Child Labour Programme.
Objectives of the Programme
- To maximize enrolment and reduce school dropout rates with a view to universalize elementary education.
- To provide nutrition to the under fed and under nourished children.
- To encourage children from disadvantaged background to attend school regularly and to help them in attaining formal education.
- To empower women by providing employment opportunities
Milestones of Nutritious Meal Programme
The Nutritious Meal Programme was introduced on 01.07.1982 for the Children in the age groups of 2 to 5 years in anganwadi and 5 to 9 years in primary schools. The scheme was extended to urban areas with effect from 15.09.1982 and further extended to all the children in the age group of 10-15 years from 15.09.1984.
Salient Features of the Scheme
- Primary School children in the age group of 5-9 years and Upper Primary School children in the age group of 10-15 years are provided with hot cooked nutritious variety meals in the school for five days in a week for a total of 210 days in a year.
- The children enrolled under National Child Labour Project Special Schools in 16 Districts viz., Kancheepuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Thiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Chennai are also provided with hot cooked nutritious variety meals for 312 days in a year.
- Food grains (rice) @ 100 gm per child per school day for primary school children (1st Std. to 5th Std.) and @ 150 gm for upper primary and high school (6th Std. to 10th Std.) is provided.
