Has TN Expanded the CM’s Breakfast Scheme for All Government-Aided Schools?

Chennai, June 26 (NationPress) In a major initiative to combat childhood hunger and enhance school attendance, the Tamil Nadu government has officially announced the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme (CMBFS) to include students in Classes 1 through 5 in all government-aided schools across the state.

This scheme, which previously operated in government schools, will now extend to institutions supported by urban local bodies.

Officials have stated that this expansion is part of a larger strategy aimed at improving early childhood nutrition and enhancing educational outcomes in primary education. A budget of Rs 600.25 crore has been allocated for the fiscal year 2025-26 to facilitate this implementation in both government and aided primary schools, including those located in rural areas.

The duty of ensuring comprehensive coverage under this scheme has been assigned to the Elementary Education Officers.

Authorities have emphasized that any omission of eligible aided schools will be taken seriously, ensuring accountability. Launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on September 15, 2022, in honor of the birth anniversary of former CM and DMK founder C.N. Annadurai, the scheme initially aimed to reach 1,14,095 students across 1,545 government schools. The formal inauguration took place at the Corporation Primary School Aathimoolan II in Madurai.

Encouraged by the favorable response, particularly the significant rise in student attendance, the state has decided to further expand the scheme.

On August 25, 2023, CM Stalin inaugurated a significant phase of the initiative, which now covers 17 lakh students in Classes 1 to 5 across 31,008 government schools with a budget of Rs 404.41 crore.

Each child under the scheme receives 150-200 grams of hot, cooked breakfast, including 50 grams of cereals such as rava, wheat, rice, or millets, 15 grams of dal, and 60 grams of vegetable sambar, all aimed at providing a balanced and nutritious meal.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly highlighted the social importance of this scheme.

Citing a survey conducted among 10 lakh children under six years of age in urban areas, CM Stalin revealed that 92,000 were identified as malnourished. Thanks to government intervention through nutrient supplementation, nearly 62,000 of these children have since recovered.

“The goal of this scheme is not merely to provide breakfast — it is to eliminate hunger, reduce malnutrition and anemia, support working mothers, and ensure children attend and remain in school,” CM Stalin stated.

“Among all our flagship schemes — including free bus travel for women and the Pudhumai Penn scheme — this one holds a special place for me,” he added.

With the latest expansion to aided institutions, the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme is now set to benefit an even broader segment of Tamil Nadu’s youth, reinforcing the state's commitment to inclusive and equitable education and health, officials noted.