More than 18 lakh students in 30,122 government primary schools will be served free breakfast from the 2023–24 academic year, Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced in his budget speech, allocating ₹500 crore for the scheme.

Launched last year, the scheme's first phase covered 1.48 lakh students in 1,543 government primary schools. "Of 1,543 schools, 1,319 schools recorded an increase in attendance. Of these, 624 schools had a 10% increase in attendance, 462 schools recorded a 20% increase, and 193 schools recorded a 30% in 193 schools," he said. It was decided to extend the scheme to all government primary schools to ensure that students are able to concentrate on academics without hunger, the minister said.

Welcoming the move, experts in the field of education and child welfare urged the government to ensure that the quality of food proposed to be served to students at breakfast is the same as that served in the mid-day meal. "Students from higher classes also want to have breakfast. The state government, after getting willingness from parents, can implement the free breakfast scheme for all those who need it," said Aruna Rathnam, former education specialist with Unicef.

The Finance Minister also announced that all schools functioning under various departments of the state government will be brought under the School Education Department. "All schools functioning under various departments such as Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), and the Forest Department will be brought under the School Education Department to improve the quality of institutions and ensure that all students are provided quality education," Thiaga Rajan said in his speech.

The service conditions and benefits of teachers and staff currently working in these schools will be protected.

Media: Times of India