Tamil Nadu's Breakfast Scheme Expanded: 20.59 Lakh Students to Benefit
Chief minister M.K. stalin has announced a major expansion of tamil Nadu's flagship Breakfast Scheme, set to cover over 20 lakh school children from august 26, 2025. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Massive Expansion to Reach 20.59 Lakh Students
2. A Step Beyond Food – Foundation for Growth
3. Historical Legacy of Mid-Day Meal Programs
4. National Attention and Recognition
5. Timeline of Major Expansions
6. Pioneering Welfare Model for India
1. Massive Expansion to Reach 20.59 Lakh Students
- The scheme, initially launched in september 2022, will now benefit 20.59 lakh students across government and aided primary schools in urban areas.
- Earlier expansions in 2023 and 2024 brought the number close to 18.5 lakh before this latest scale-up.
2. A Step Beyond Food – Foundation for Growth
- CM stalin emphasised that the initiative is not merely about feeding children but about nurturing their educational journey by addressing hunger and ensuring proper nutrition.
3. Historical Legacy of Mid-Day Meal Programs
- Tamil Nadu has been a pioneer in school meal schemes since the days of K. Kamaraj, who launched the noon meal programme.
- Successive leaders like M.G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi enhanced the initiative with nutritious meals and eggs.
4. National Attention and Recognition
- Punjab cm Bhagwant Mann will attend the expansion event, highlighting inter-state recognition of tamil Nadu’s welfare model.
- The scheme is increasingly being viewed as a template for other states.
5. Timeline of Major Expansions
- Sept 15, 2022: Scheme launched in Madurai.
- Aug 2023: Extended to 18.5 lakh students in 30,992 schools.
- July 2024: Covered additional 2.23 lakh students in 3,995 aided schools.
- Aug 2025: Expanded to 20.59 lakh students across urban primary schools.
6. Pioneering Welfare Model for India
- CM stalin hailed the initiative as an exemplar for the entire nation, reinforcing tamil Nadu's legacy of progressive social welfare programs.