Tamil Nadu Expands Breakfast Scheme to Include Students from Classes 6 to 8

Chennai, September 16 (Daily Kiran) : The Tamil Nadu government is set to expand its Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to include students from classes 6 to 8. The launch is scheduled for September 22, after being postponed from its original date.

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will inaugurate the expanded program upon his return from an official trip to London, where he has been working to attract new investments to Tamil Nadu. The launch was initially planned for Thursday to coincide with the birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar, but was delayed due to the Chief Minister’s travel.

Pallavi Baldev, the Secretary of Social Welfare, has informed all district collectors about the revised launch date and directed them to make necessary arrangements for the program’s implementation.

The scheme will be rolled out across Tamil Nadu, with the exception of Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts, where assembly by-elections are currently taking place. The exclusion of these districts is attributed to the enforcement of the model code of conduct for elections.

Since the arrival of the TVK government, the breakfast initiative has been renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in honor of former Chief Minister K. Kamarajar, who played a significant role in expanding school education and welfare measures for students in Tamil Nadu.

Previously, this breakfast program was limited to children in primary classes at government schools. With the new extension, it aims to benefit a larger number of students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families.

The government believes that providing nutritious breakfasts before classes will improve attendance, reduce hunger in the classroom, and help children focus better on their studies.

Officials have been instructed to ensure proper coordination among the Social Welfare Department, School Education Department, local bodies, and school administrations. District collectors are expected to oversee preparations, including identifying beneficiaries, supplying food materials, ensuring kitchen facilities, maintaining hygiene standards, and timely distribution of breakfasts. Detailed instructions regarding the launch and implementation of the expanded scheme will be sent to schools before September 22.