PM POSHAN in Odisha: A Central Sector Scheme to Improve Nutritional Status of School Children

 Odisha News:Introduction

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides hot, cooked meals to school children on all working days. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in partnership with state and local governments.

Objectives of the PM POSHAN Scheme

The main objectives of the PM Poshan Scheme are to:

1. Improve the nutritional status of eligible children in government and government-aided schools.

2. Encourage poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities.

3. Provide nutritional support to children of elementary stage in drought-affected and disaster-affected areas during summer vacation.

Implementation of the Scheme in Odisha

The PM POSHAN scheme is implemented in Odisha by the School and Mass Education Department. The department has set up a State level Project Management Unit (PMU) and District level PMUs to look into the day-to-day implementation of the scheme.

Under the scheme, hot, cooked meals are provided to school children from Classes I to VIII on all working days. The meals are prepared by cook-cum-helpers in school kitchens. The scheme also provides for honorarium to cook-cum-helpers and transportation assistance for food grains.

Impact of the Scheme in Odisha

The PM POSHAN scheme has had a significant impact on the nutritional status of school children in Odisha. A study conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition found that the prevalence of underweight and stunting among school children in Odisha has decreased significantly since the implementation of the scheme.

The scheme has also had a positive impact on school attendance. A study by the Government of Odisha found that the average school attendance in the state has increased by 5% since the implementation of the scheme.

Challenges

Despite its success, the PM POSHAN scheme also faces some challenges in Odisha. One of the major challenges is the lack of infrastructure in school kitchens. Many schools in the state do not have adequate cooking facilities and storage space for food grains.

Another challenge is the shortage of cook-cum-helpers. Many schools in the state do not have enough cook-cum-helpers to prepare meals for all the students.

Conclusion

The PM POSHAN scheme is a flagship program of the Government of India that is playing a vital role in improving the nutritional status of school children in Odisha. The scheme has also had a positive impact on school attendance. However, the scheme faces some challenges, such as the lack of infrastructure in school kitchens and the shortage of cook-cum-helpers. The Government of Odisha is taking steps to address these challenges and ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme.