The National Programme for Nutritional Support to Primary Education was started in 1995. Also popularly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), was limited to providing dry rations. It was year 2001, when the Supreme Court in its major landmark passed an order directing all states to start providing cooked midday meals within six months. By March 2004, all primary schools were providing cooked midday meals in all states of the country including Delhi. Later, it was extended to upper primary (classes VI to VIII) school children also. Today, MDMS is world’s largest feeding programme reaching up to about 12 crore children. The aim MDMS was to enhance enrolment, retention and attendance of children in schools, as well as of improving their nutritional levels. The MDMS is also expected to use the opportunity to impart a spirit of equality among and sharing by children of different social backgrounds. Many studies have suggested that unlike Southern states, the concept of the government providing a cooked midday meal in its schools is not well established in North India especially in urban slums. The present study was designed to collect opinion on perceived benefits by beneficiaries on functioning of the scheme in slums of Delhi i.e. in Madanpur Khadar and Nizamuddin Basti, with an objective to assess the perception, belief, opinion and acceptability of parents on Mid-day Meal Scheme. The results revealed that the children as well as parents were satisfied with the functioning of the programme, quality of food, menu. The children irrespective of their background were found to enjoy the sharing of food with visible social interaction. The poor parents had a very positive view on the Scheme, thus suggested for its continuation with addition of newer food items to enhance nutrition level. However, few viewed the scheme as a hindrance in teaching and hence there is not breakthrough in learning achievement of children.
Mid Day Meal Scheme, Slum Communities, Enrolment, Retention, Social Inclusion, Social Interaction
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