The Impressive TimesChennai, July 15 2024 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday launched the DMK’s flagship Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme in government-aided schools for students in Classes 1 to 5. The launch took place at Keezhacheri in Tiruvallur district, coinciding with the 122nd birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
After paying floral tributes to a portrait of Mr. Kamaraj, Mr. Stalin inaugurated the third phase of this pioneering scheme at a local school. The event was attended by Ministers, senior government officials, and district authorities. In a personal gesture, Mr. Stalin served breakfast to the students, joined them for the meal, and inquired about their well-being.
The scheme, initially announced in the February State Assembly Budget by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, will benefit 2,23,536 students across 3,995 government-aided primary schools. The first phase was launched in 2022 and the second in 2023.
A study by the State Planning Commission indicates that the DMK’s Dravidian Model government’s scheme has significantly increased enrollment ratios, attendance, and student aptitude. The scheme, first launched on September 15, 2022, benefited 1.14 lakh students in 1,545 schools during its initial phase. Encouraged by the positive response, the scheme was expanded, reaching 18.50 lakh students in 30,992 government primary schools across the State by August 25, 2023.
The third phase now extends this benefit to government-aided schools, impacting 2,23,536 additional students. Under the scheme, students in Classes 1 to 5 receive breakfast on all working days, with a menu that includes Idli, Uppuma, Kitchadi, Pongal, along with Chutney and Sambar. The scheme aims to improve nutrition, boost enrollment and attendance, and enhance learning abilities.
During the 2024-25 Budget presentation, Mr. Thennarasu highlighted the importance of this initiative, quoting Victor Hugo: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” He praised Mr. Stalin for bringing this vision to life in the 21st century. Scholars and nutritionists had long advocated for a breakfast scheme to address issues of malnutrition and concentration among students attending school without having breakfast.
The Mid-Day Meal and Nutritious Meal Programmes continue to be effectively implemented in the State. This new initiative, founded on principles of social justice, was first launched in Madurai in 2022 on the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister and DMK Founder C.N. Annadurai, and expanded in 2023 to benefit over 15 lakh students across 30,992 government schools.
Research shows that the scheme has led to improved attendance, nutritional levels, and learning outcomes among students. To further this vision, the scheme will now include government-aided schools in rural areas, benefiting approximately 2.5 lakh students from Classes 1 to 5. An allocation of Rs. 600 crore has been earmarked for this initiative in the next financial year.
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