How Nutrition Shapes the Future of Classrooms in India?

 

Starting a day with an empty stomach not only affects us physically, but also psychologically that can lead to irritation, lack of concentration and productivity.  

How would you feel if you skipped your meals for a day? Now, imagine a child sitting in a classroom for hours, stomach empty, trying to stay attentive. This is the reality of children, especially from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, who cannot access even one meal a day.

Impact of Nutrition on Classroom Performance

According to UNESCO’s reports, “About 258 million children and youth are out of school. The total includes 59 million children of primary school age, 62 million of lower secondary school age and 138 million of upper secondary age.” One of the main reasons for this is the struggle to meet the basic needs such as food, because for them, the real struggle is not the academic pursuit but to fight the physical and mental strain caused by a lack of nutrition. Mid-day meal has proven to be a powerful tool to bring children to school every day and enable them to learn well and stay healthy. A child physically present in class does not mean that their learning is effective. One major challenge for effective learning is the lack of nutrition. 

When children do not receive nutrition:

·         They feel lethargic

·         Struggle to concentrate

·         Become easily irritated and uneasy

This results in:

·         Poor academic performance

·         High dropouts

·         Increased absenteeism

The lack of nutrition can also lead to certain health issues, adversely affecting them throughout their lifetime, which include:

·         Stunting

·         Wasting

·         Anaemia

·         Weak immune system

The assurance of mid-day meals every day not only enhances the physical and cognitive development but also positively impacts their overall behaviour and well-being.

How is India addressing this Issue?

To ensure both nutrition and education for children, The Government of India has implemented a programme called PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly known as Mid-Day Meal Programme). This initiative is the largest school meal programme in the world, aiming at combating classroom hunger and improving educational outcomes. The programme is a collaborative effort between the central government and state government, with the former contributing 60% of the funding and the latter covering 40%. This ratio varies across different regions.

Over the years, through efficient and effective implementation, significant improvement is seen in

·         Enrolment

·         Attendance

·         Retention

·         Social inclusion

·         Women empowerment

·         Meeting children’s nutritional requirements

While progress has been made, consistent efforts and collaboration is crucial to keep running the programme successfully and to reach every child in need. This is where Non- Government Organisations (NGOs) come into picture – supporting government’s efforts by reaching deeper into communities. One such impactful NGO in India is The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Impact of Akshaya Patra

As one of the leading NGOs in India, The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to eliminate classroom hunger by promising nutrient-dense mid-day meals for every child every day.  Working as an implementing partner of The Government of India’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan, the organisation currently serves 2.25 million children across 16 states and 3 UTs through kitchens with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities in 78 locations, of which two are decentralised. The decentralised model allows the organisation to reach even remote areas, ensuring no child is left behind.

With a high importance to satisfy children’s food preferences, the NGO serves meals adhering to the local palate and each day the menu changes to prevent monotony, giving them an enjoyable school lunch experience. The techniques that they employ, such as food fortification, has shown improvement in nutritional intake and eliminating micronutrient deficiencies in children.

Guided by the vision that No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger the NGO continues to expand its reach and impact by building trust. Their commitment to transparency and accountability has earned them prestigious ICAI Gold Shield Award, the highest recognition of Excellence in Financial Reporting, for seven consecutive years, making it the only NGO inducted into the Hall of Fame.

 You can also be a part of their community of changemakers. Support their vision through online charity donations and ensure children meals.

When a nation’s children are well-nourished and educated, its future looks promising! Help NGOs in India like Akshaya Patra to serve nutritious mid-day meals every day. Your support can become a reason that helps a child to break the cycle of poverty. Donate online.