Chennai, Sept 22:
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme for students of Classes 6 to 8 at a function in Tiruvanmiyur.
The scheme was launched at the Government Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Tiruvanmiyur. The expansion extends the breakfast programme beyond students of Classes 1 to 5 who are currently covered.
The expanded scheme benefits around 15.30 lakh additional students studying in Classes 6 to 8 in 15,454 government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu. The State government has allocated an additional Rs.217.63 crore during the current financial year for the expansion, taking the overall allocation for the breakfast scheme to Rs.724 crore.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring that children attending government and government-aided schools do not remain hungry during the morning and can concentrate better on their studies. In Chennai, the expanded programme will cover 447 schools through integrated kitchens, while arrangements have also been made through integrated kitchens in schools in other urban areas. In rural areas, meals will be prepared at schools with the participation of self-help groups.