Impact of Midday Meal Program on Educational and Nutritional Status of School-going Children in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Midday Meal Program(MDM) is in operation in several states of India. This program aims to improve school enrollment and attendance, to reduce dropout rate to better the children's school performance, and to improve the nutritional status of primary school children. A study was undertaken in the State of Andhra Pradesh to assess the impact of the MDM program on the above parameters. A total of 83 schools from three districts, 45 schools with program and 38 schools without program, were included in the study. Results of the study on the educational component indicated improved attendance, increased retention rate with reduced dropout rates, and a marginal improvement in the scholastic performance. The nutritional component revealed better growth performance among the regular beneficiaries in the program.