Mid-day Meal Programme provides:-
**Question:** Mid-day Meal Programme provides:-
A. Nutritional supplements to improve child health
B. Financial assistance for private schools
C. Free meals for all students in government schools
D. School infrastructure development only
**Core Concept:** Mid-day Meal Programme (MDMP) is a government initiative in India aimed at improving nutritional status and overall health of school children. The programme provides meals to children attending government schools and a few aided schools.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** C. Free meals for all students in government schools
The Midday Meal Programme (MDMP) is focused on providing free meals to all students enrolled in government schools as well as a few aided schools, with the aim of improving their nutritional status and overall health. This option (C) is correct because it accurately describes the primary objective of the MDMP, which is to provide meals to students in government and aided schools to combat malnutrition and enhance their wellbeing.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Nutritional supplements to improve child health - While the MDMP does aim to improve child health, this option is too narrow and does not encompass the broader scope of the programme, which includes providing meals to students in government and aided schools.
B. Financial assistance for private schools - The Midday Meal Programme primarily focuses on government and aided schools, not private schools, making this option incorrect.
D. School infrastructure development only - This option is too specific and does not encompass the overall goal of the MDMP, which is to improve the health and nutritional status of enrolled students in government and aided schools.
**Clinical Pearl:**
The Midday Meal Programme not only benefits children by improving their nutritional status and overall health but also has a positive impact on school attendance, learning outcomes, and reduction of ΨΉΩ Ψ§ΩΨ© (malnutrition) in affected children. This initiative has contributed to the improvement of health, education, and development of children in India.