Fighting Classroom Hunger : Analysis of Mid-day Meal Scheme of Odisha

Abstract

India State Hunger Index (ISHI) reported that, “India is home to the world’s largest food insecure population, with more than 200 million people who are hungry.” Adding to this, the report urged that, the country’s poor performance is driven by its high levels of child under-nutrition and poor calorie count. Education plays a vital role in the development of human potential. State Governments are spending considerable portion of their resources to provide educational facilities all over the country. In spite of these efforts, the goal of cent percent universalization of elementary education appears to be far and elusive due to inherent socio-economic factors present in the society. Free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years is the constitutional commitment and it is estimated that primary school children (6-14 years) form about 20% of the total population. Poor school enrolment and high school dropout rate are attributed to the poor nutritional status of the children compounded by poor socio-economic condition, child labour and lack of motivation. The researchers have used empirical research to find the real gap in the system.