Education – President Murmu Highlights Nutrition Role in School Education Progress
Education – President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday underlined the crucial link between proper nutrition and improved learning outcomes in schools, while acknowledging the Akshaya Patra Foundation for reaching the milestone of serving five billion meals across the country. The achievement, she noted, reflects sustained efforts to support children’s education through nutritional initiatives.
Nutrition as a Foundation for Learning
Addressing a gathering at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, the President said that access to nutritious meals plays a vital role in shaping a child’s ability to learn and grow. She pointed out that a well-fed student is more likely to remain attentive, perform better academically, and continue their education without interruption.
Referring to the broader theme of the event, Murmu said that the vision of building a well-nourished and educated population is essential for India’s long-term development goals. She added that the country’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047 depends significantly on investments made in children today.
Shared Responsibility for Child Welfare
The President stressed that ensuring the overall well-being of children cannot rest solely on government efforts. Instead, she called for collective participation from communities, institutions, and individuals. According to her, providing children with access to education, healthcare, adequate nutrition, and a safe environment requires coordinated action from multiple stakeholders.
She highlighted that when society works together to support children, it creates a stronger foundation for future generations. This shared approach, she said, is essential to secure both social progress and economic growth.
Role of School Meal Programmes
Murmu also spoke about the importance of school meal initiatives in addressing malnutrition and encouraging regular attendance. She noted that such programmes have proven effective in bringing children to classrooms and keeping them enrolled over time.
Discussing the government’s flagship PM POSHAN scheme, she said it has contributed significantly to increasing enrolment and reducing dropout rates. By ensuring that students receive nutritious meals during school hours, the programme not only supports physical health but also strengthens the education system.
Supporting Broader Education Goals
The President further observed that organisations like the Akshaya Patra Foundation are playing an important role in advancing national education objectives. She said their work aligns with the goals of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which aims to provide inclusive and quality education to all children by 2030.
She acknowledged that the foundation’s consistent efforts over the past 25 years have helped improve access to school meals, particularly for children from economically weaker backgrounds. This, in turn, has supported better educational participation across various regions.
Long-Term Investment in Human Capital
Emphasising the long-term impact of nutrition programmes, Murmu described them as investments in the country’s human capital. She said that the benefits of providing nutritious food extend far beyond immediate health outcomes, contributing to the development of a skilled and capable future workforce.
According to her, children who receive proper nutrition today are more likely to grow into productive citizens, thereby strengthening the nation’s development trajectory.
Government and Institutional Support
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also addressed the event, praising the foundation’s contribution as a key partner in implementing the PM POSHAN scheme. He stated that India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 can only be realised if every child has access to both education and adequate nutrition.
The event was attended by key figures associated with the foundation, including its founders, who have been instrumental in expanding the reach of school meal programmes across the country.