Chennai, July 29
The Tamil Nadu government is considering introducing chicken biryani once a week under its flagship noon meal scheme as part of a broader effort to improve nutrition, enhance the quality of school meals and encourage greater attendance in government schools.
The proposal is currently under active consideration and, if approved, would become one of the most significant additions to the State’s long-running school nutrition programme. Officials said the decision would be taken in consultation with the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, which is responsible for implementing the noon meal scheme across Tamil Nadu.
The initiative forms part of the government’s wider focus on strengthening student welfare through improved nutritional support. Besides the proposed inclusion of a weekly protein-rich chicken biryani meal, the government is also examining measures to improve the overall quality of food served in schools, including upgrading the quality of rice supplied under the scheme.
Officials believe that providing better-quality meals will not only improve children’s nutrition but also help increase attendance, reduce drop-out rates and create a more positive learning environment, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged families.
Tamil Nadu’s noon meal programme currently covers nearly 40 lakh students from Classes 1 to 10 studying in government and government-aided schools. The State’s Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, which was recently expanded, now benefits around 32 lakh students from Classes 1 to 8.
The government is also exploring the possibility of extending both the breakfast and noon meal schemes to higher secondary students. If the proposal is approved, an estimated eight lakh students in Classes 11 and 12 would also become eligible for nutritional support.
Education experts have consistently advocated extending meal programmes to older students, arguing that improved nutrition contributes to better academic performance, higher attendance and lower drop-out rates.
If cleared, the weekly chicken biryani proposal would further reinforce Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a pioneer in school nutrition programmes, building on a welfare model that has inspired similar initiatives across India.
