Tamil Nadu expands school breakfast scheme to Classes 6-8

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to expand the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to students in Classes 6 to 8 within government and aided schools across the state.

Under the new guidelines, members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) associated with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission will be responsible for preparing and serving meals. To qualify, SHG members must have at least three years of experience, reside in the same locality as the school, and have children enrolled in the same institution. Educational requirements are set at Class 10, though this is relaxed to Class 8 for those in hilly, tribal, or remote areas.

Selected members will undergo training in food safety, hygiene, and digital reporting. The SOP mandates that cooking begins at 6:00 a.m., with hot breakfast served between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Essential staples such as rice, pulses, oil, and salt will be supplied via the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure quality, while vegetables may be sourced locally or from school gardens.