Odisha Government to Provide Mid-Day Meals to Class 9 and 10 Students from 2025-26
In a significant step towards improving student nutrition and enhancing educational outcomes, the Odisha government has announced that mid-day meals will be extended to students of Class 9 and 10 in all government and government-aided schools across the state. This initiative will begin from the 2025-26 financial year under the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana.
The move aims to improve the nutritional status of students, while also increasing enrolment, attendance, and retention rates in secondary schools. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to addressing both educational and health-related challenges among students in Odisha.
📢 Key Announcement Details
According to a notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department, the Odisha government has approved the proposal to provide hot cooked mid-day meals to secondary school students (Class 9 and 10) starting from the 2025-26 financial year.
✅ Objectives of the Scheme:
- ✔️ Improve the nutritional status of students.
- ✔️ Boost enrolment and attendance rates.
- ✔️ Reduce dropout rates by encouraging students to continue their education.
The notification read:
“The Government after careful consideration has been pleased to approve the proposal for the provision of hot cooked Mid-Day Meals to the students of Class 9 and 10 in Government and Government-Aided Secondary Schools from the financial year 2025-26 to increase the nutritional level of the students and enhance enrolment, attendance, and retention in Secondary Schools.”
💰 Financial Allocation and Budgetary Support
The total financial implication for implementing this scheme is estimated at ₹570.71 crore annually. The funds will be drawn from the State Budget under the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana.
The proposal has been approved by both the:
- Finance Department
- Planning and Convergence Department
This substantial financial commitment underscores the state government’s focus on improving the overall educational environment and ensuring that students receive proper nutrition.
🍛 Why Extending Mid-Day Meals to Class 9 and 10 Matters
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM) was initially introduced to provide free meals to students in primary and upper primary schools (Class 1 to 8) as a means to combat malnutrition and encourage school attendance. However, extending the scheme to secondary school students addresses some key challenges:
🚸 1. Malnutrition and Health Issues
- Adolescents face higher nutritional needs.
- Many students from low-income families rely on mid-day meals as their primary source of nutrition.
🎓 2. High Dropout Rates in Secondary Education
- Dropout rates increase significantly after Class 8 due to financial constraints and lack of incentives.
- Providing meals will help reduce this trend by encouraging students to continue their education.
📚 3. Gender Gap in Education
- Girls often drop out of school at higher rates due to financial and social pressures.
- Access to free meals can reduce the economic burden on families and promote higher female retention rates.
🌟 Impact on Secondary Education and Student Health
The extension of mid-day meals to secondary school students is expected to have multiple positive impacts:
📈 1. Improved Nutritional Levels
- Better health and physical development among adolescents.
- Enhanced cognitive abilities and academic performance.
🏫 2. Higher Attendance and Enrolment
- Increased motivation for parents to enroll their children in secondary schools.
- Reduced absenteeism due to food security.
🚀 3. Reduction in Dropout Rates
- Providing meals reduces the financial burden on families.
- Encourages students, especially girls, to continue their education.
🌍 Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana: Strengthening Odisha’s Welfare Policies
The Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana is Odisha’s flagship nutrition program aimed at improving the dietary intake of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Extending mid-day meals to secondary school students reflects the state’s broader commitment to strengthening public health and education infrastructure.
✅ Conclusion
The Odisha government’s decision to provide mid-day meals to Class 9 and 10 students under the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana marks a significant step toward improving student health, enhancing enrolment, and boosting academic outcomes. With a financial outlay of ₹570.71 crore annually, this initiative is expected to address key challenges in secondary education and promote greater social and economic equity in the state.
This move reflects Odisha’s continued focus on creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for its youth.
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