“For the sake of ten years’ benefit, we must plant trees. For the sake of a hundred years’ benefit, we must cultivate the people,” said the founding father of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. He was clear about the route to development and considered schooling one of the most important stepping stones towards humankind's success.
Unlocking a child’s potential with schooling
A child's education is their primary means of gaining knowledge and information. It enables them to learn about a wide range of subjects, including literature, history, arithmetic, politics and more.
When you have more knowledge, you are better equipped to help others. For example, if you have studied mathematics, you can easily and accurately calculate your taxes. Additionally, if you possess a broad range of knowledge, you can actively participate in discussions and attract attention during gatherings.
Deciding tomorrow’s path through schooling
In India, education in school plays a crucial role in a child's life, where they learn much more than just memorising facts. One of the most important benefits of going to school is that it enables a child to discover and develop their interests.
Developing strong social skills, mastering the art of multitasking and learning good manners are all crucial components of success. Most schools also provide wholesome lunches to children, which helps with their physical and cognitive development.
Schoolchildren and the magic meals
Many children in government and government-aided schools come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The assurance of a mid-day meal is the reason many of them to get enrolled to school. While they enjoy being on vacation, they also wait to come back to school as they miss the lunch served in school. Their parents cannot always provide them with a variety of meals every day like they receive in school. For many of them, lunch at school serves as their first and only regular meal of the day.
Nutrition is essential for children's steady growth and intellect. The school lunch programme, known as the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, enhances children's nutritional profile. When children have access to good nutrition, their health and academic performance improve.
A nutritious diet during childhood enhances productivity and lifelong learning capabilities. Therefore, investing in child nutrition is considered a cornerstone of human development.
A peek into the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan
The PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme, was initiated to tackle the complex issues of malnutrition and illiteracy. In 2001, the Supreme Court ordered that mid-day meals be provided to all primary school children studying in government and government-aided schools, which was later extended to upper primary school children.
The programme motivates students to come back to school after breaks and overcome obstacles to complete their studies. Thus, the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan has been found to have a positive impact on children's education. This is reflected in the increased enrolment, attendance and retention rates. Parents have also reported that they enrol their children in school to ensure they receive at least one healthy meal a day. In addition to addressing immediate hunger, school meals also lay the foundation for long-term hunger and malnutrition prevention.
Absenteeism is one of the greatest obstacles to education. The meals are unquestionably a blessing for children because when they are healthy, they are less likely to skip school due to illness.
Akshaya Patra and the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan
The PM POSHAN Abhiyaan is implemented by The Akshaya Patra Foundation in 16 states and 2 UTs of India. The NGO for children serves wholesome school lunches to 2.2 million children each day in more than 24,000 government and government-aided schools across 72 locations.
In 2000, it started as a philanthropic project that provided 1,500 children in five Bangalore schools with a wholesome meal. The food was so favourably accepted that a year later the Indian Government made it a requirement that a healthy lunch be given in every government school.
The organisation is motivated by the vision No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger, which drives it to work consistently to reach as many children as possible. With the support of the government, corporates and individuals, Akshaya Patra aims to provide 3 million children with nutritious school lunches by 2025.
Support Akshaya Patra to nurture and nourish children as they get ready to come back to school. Make a donation for children today!