Odisha Boosts Student Nutrition with Cooked Midday Meals and Laddoos

The Odisha government will start providing cooked midday meals to students of classes 9 and 10 in state-run schools from April 1. This initiative, aiming to improve nutrition and student retention, involves an annual cost of Rs 570.71 crore. Laddoos and additional eggs will also be provided weekly.

The Odisha government has announced a new initiative to enhance the nutritional status of students in state-run schools. Starting April 1, cooked midday meals will be offered to pupils in classes 9 and 10.

An official from the School and Mass Education Department highlighted the move's goals of increasing student enrolment, attendance, and retention at the secondary level. The state will allocate Rs 570.71 crore annually to fund this program, according to SK Mohapatra, School and Mass Education Department Additional Secretary.

Additionally, the state will distribute three nutrition-rich laddoos per week to students from classes 1 to 10, alongside additional eggs under the PM Poshan scheme. The laddoos will be handed out during school assemblies.

(With inputs from agencies.)