In our country despite geographical difficulties, socio-economic issues are the central deterrents to education. Millions of children in our country are facing many hurdles in their education. However, it is crucial to keep working on educating such children for the many benefits it will provide to them and to the society at large. Few of such benefits also act as a triggering agent for children to come and parents to send them to school. When we talk about the need for basic education, one of its tools is to support poor children and their parents to walk on the road of education and mid-day meal is one of these.

Recently Punjab school education has launched the first free “school meal program” in 16 public schools to combat hunger and malnutrition among our youngsters across the province with the collaboration of Allah Wallay Trust and Honda Pakistan. In the first phase 100 primary schools would be targeted in the district, after that the program would be expanded to all public schools of Punjab with the collaboration of different NGOs, and different philanthropists. This program is no doubt very beneficial particularly for the students from less privileged backgrounds. After the ingitioning of the program, the impact on students was measured and it showed a clear difference in improvement in their learning abilities and physical growth as measured before.

This meal scheme would help to literate the population of the country. It promotes equality among different social castes as the same meal is eaten by every child together.

By reducing the poverty level it can also result in long-term benefits because more people will graduate after a few years and they will add towards the economy. According to many researchers, the implication of such acts during the primary school year can make significant benefits to lowering future child stunting, particularly giving them cumulative exposure that school nutrition programs can provide. Because they target various underlying factors of malnutrition/under nutrition in vulnerable groups, such mid-day meal programs have the potential to stimulate population –level stunting reduction.

Recent study discovered that girls who received free food in elementary schools as part of the mid-day meal program had children with better growth restricting the disability rate which was caused by the malnutrition factors . It may increase the risk of acquiring potentially disabling illness .Due to the weakest public health systems the link between disability and malnutrition is likely to be strongest. Malnutrition effects brain development and malnourished children are more likely to get sick and miss school.

No doubt school plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of society. School is a place where students from all origins with different flavors mix up, establishing a culture of friendship and unity. Their education at school makes them ready to achieve their life goals and to reach their destinations. It’s a fact that the majority of children in public schools come from low –income backgrounds. Many youngsters are forced over school due to financial constraints prevailing in the families and this is the reason where the true value of a free mid-day meal emerges. This free mid-day meal plays a significant role to motivate the parents to bring their children to school. Parents With sense of satisfaction that their child will receive at least one plate full of food for the day.

According to government sources the school meal program was bearing results and 33 percent attendance was increased and 77 percent students’ health improved. Sources suggested retention of the students would be increased to 98percent in all the schools where this initiative has been started. NGOs and philanthropists are warmly invited to support the meals of the schools. Punjab government encourages civil society to fully participate by providing enough support in order to enhance the benefits of school meal program these include;

• Advancement in school enrollment

• Sound brain and physical development

• Improvement in school attendance

• improving caste socialization

• avoiding classroom hunger

• equalizing the meal status

• Removal of status quo in breaks

• Building sense of acceptance

• Endorsement of inclusivity

Government should include the budget of the meals in the regular budget.
Social structures are used to channel policy actions. The resilience of these sound institutions guarantees that social differences are maintained and that rewards are distributed based on one place in the social hierarchy.