Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme Expands to Urban Aided Schools Today

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will launch the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme to government-aided primary schools in urban areas across the state today, August 26, 2025. The ceremony, set to take place at St. Susaiappar Primary School in Mylapore, Chennai, marks a significant step in ensuring nutritional support for schoolchildren. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will attend as the special guest, highlighting the scheme’s growing influence as a model for student welfare nationwide.

Origins and Success of the Breakfast Scheme

Introduced on September 15, 2022, at Adhimoolam Corporation Primary School in Madurai, the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme initially targeted government primary school students. The initiative, designed to ensure no child studies on an empty stomach, has been widely appreciated by parents and students for improving nutrition, attendance, and academic performance. By August 2023, it covered 18.5 lakh students across 30,992 schools, with an additional 2.23 lakh students in 3,995 government-aided schools by July 2024. Today’s expansion will benefit over 3.05 lakh students in 2,430 urban government-aided schools, bringing the total to 20.59 lakh students across Tamil Nadu.

Launch Ceremony in Chennai

The expansion will be inaugurated at St. Susaiappar Primary School in Mylapore, Chennai, where Chief Minister Stalin will serve breakfast to students, symbolizing the state’s commitment to child welfare. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, welcomed by DMK MP Kanimozhi and Minister M. Subramanian, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating his intent to launch a similar breakfast program in Punjab, inspired by Tamil Nadu’s initiative. The event underscores the scheme’s role as a benchmark for other states seeking to enhance student nutrition.

Tamil Nadu’s Legacy of School Nutrition

Tamil Nadu has long been a pioneer in school meal programs, starting with the noon meal scheme introduced by former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj in 1956. Leaders like M.G. Ramachandran, who enhanced it into a nutritious meal program, and M. Karunanidhi, who introduced eggs, have built a strong foundation. Chief Minister Stalin’s breakfast scheme continues this legacy, aligning with the Dravidian Model’s focus on social equity. Studies show the scheme has improved attendance and cognitive performance in over 90% of participating students, making it a cornerstone of educational reform.

Impact and Future Prospects

The expansion to urban government-aided schools is expected to further reduce malnutrition and boost school attendance in cities. The scheme provides balanced meals with vegetables, pulses, and grains, fostering healthy eating habits among students. Parents have reported that children are adopting these habits at home, amplifying the program’s impact. Combined with other initiatives like the midday meal scheme and free educational supplies, the breakfast program strengthens Tamil Nadu’s commitment to equitable education. Its influence is evident as states like Punjab and Telangana explore similar models.

The launch of the expanded Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme today marks a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu’s efforts to prioritize student welfare. With over 20 lakh students now benefiting, the initiative not only addresses hunger but also sets a national standard for educational and nutritional support, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s leadership in social welfare.