Evaluating the Impact of Mid-Day Meal Program on children: A Sociological Study

Abstract

In India, there has been considerable interest from state governments in the performance of the mid-day meal scheme, particularly in relation to the benefits it provides to marginalized children. While many other studies have found evidence that this scheme applies. While positive effects on enrolment and increased daily caloric intake during the school day may occur, effects on long-term nutritional status and effects of school meals on learning and cognitive skills are unclear. Therefore, the availability of mid-day meals had a significant beneficial effect on children affected by the drought, controlling for other factors has a positive effect of mid-day meal. Altitude by age outweighed the negative effects of drought. This positive effect may also be amplified by a 2004 Supreme Court order mandating the provision of mid-day meals during school summer vacations in drought-affected areas.