Dr. Satyawan Saurabh
In India, education is considered the strongest foundation for nation-building. It is repeatedly said that children are the future of the country, and investing in their development is true development. But when we consider the cooking cost of just ₹6.78 (primary) and ₹10.17 (upper primary) per student per day for the millions of children studying in government schools, this idealism seems to clash with harsh reality.
Naturally, the question arises—can we really provide nutritious, adequate, and respectable food to children with this much money, or are we unknowingly playing a collective joke with the future of children?
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been one of India’s most ambitious and impactful social programs. Its objective was not only to alleviate child hunger, but also to combat malnutrition, increase school attendance, and promote social equality. For children, particularly those from poor, Dalit, tribal, and marginalized backgrounds, this scheme often serves as the only guaranteed meal of the day. Therefore, it is crucial that the cost of this scheme be realistic, sensitive, and humane.
Today’s economic landscape is no secret. Inflation is constantly rising. Vegetable prices fluctuate daily, pulses and oil are becoming increasingly out of reach for the common man, the cost of gas cylinders is troubling every household, and even basic nutritional items like milk are becoming increasingly expensive. In such a situation, the assumption that a balanced and quality meal for a child can be prepared for just a few rupees seems far from ground reality.
The breakdown of cooking costs outlined in government orders and guidelines may seem balanced on paper, but in practice, it becomes a nearly impossible challenge. When you add in the costs of vegetables, pulses, milk, spices, oil, gas, and other essentials, the agreed amount is often exhausted on the first day. As a result, schools have to compromise on either the quality of food or the quantity—and sometimes both.
Children bear the greatest brunt of this. Lack of variety, nutritional deficiencies, and tastelessness in food also affect children’s appetites. Many children do not finish their meals, some experience poor school attendance, and some gradually disengage from their studies. This impact is not immediately visible in statistics, but in the long run, it profoundly affects children’s learning, health, and self-confidence.
Another often overlooked aspect of this entire system is the cooks and school staff. Cooks, working for meagre salaries, are expected to prepare quality meals for hundreds of children every day. Often, they must borrow locally, pay out of their own pockets, or face complaints and criticism. This situation is not only unfair but also goes against the very spirit of the scheme.
The irony is that while we use big words like “a well-nourished India,” “a new education policy,” and “human resource development,” we are, on the other hand, extremely stingy when it comes to budgeting for children’s food. Isn’t this a glaring contradiction? Do we truly believe that quality education is possible without quality nutrition?
Both research and experience prove that education and nutrition are deeply intertwined. A hungry or malnourished child cannot concentrate or take interest in learning. A weak mid-day meal scheme will directly impact learning levels, attendance, and dropout rates. This is not just a welfare scheme, but an issue of national development and social justice.
Another serious problem is that cooking costs are often determined on a uniform basis, despite inflation and market rates varying across the country. While the cost difference between rural and urban areas is clear, the fixed amount remains roughly the same. This makes it even more difficult for schools in many areas to effectively implement the scheme.
The need of the hour is for governments to treat this issue not as a mere administrative formality, but as a moral and humanitarian responsibility. Cooking costs should be regularly and automatically reassessed, linked to inflation and local market prices. Monitoring systems should also be strengthened to ensure that increased funds are actually spent on children’s meals.
It is also essential to incorporate the voices of teachers, principals, and cooks working at the grassroots level into policymaking. They face the real challenges of this system every day, and their experiences are far more valuable than any file noting.
Governments must understand that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is not a burden, but an investment in the future. If children’s meals are healthy today, the country’s economy, society, and democracy will also be stronger tomorrow. But if we continue to treat children’s meals as an expense and rely on a minimal budget, future generations will suffer the consequences.
Ultimately, the question remains—is it truly possible to nourish children for ₹6.78 or ₹10.17, or is it just a numbers game? There is still time for policymakers to acknowledge this reality and make bold decisions. Because this debate is not just about food—it is about children’s dignity, health, and the nation’s future.
