For Shishir Praja, a fifth-grade student in Makwanpur, Nepal, the school bell for the tiffin break is more than just a pause in lessons; it is a lifeline. Standing in line with his plate, he represents a generation for whom the government-sponsored "Diwa Khaja Karyakram" (Mid-Day Meal Program) has become the primary incentive for regular school attendance.
"Because the school provides tiffin, I attend regularly, which ultimately saves money for my home," Shishir told ANI. His community, the marginalized Chepang group, often faces daily food insecurity.
Evolution of a National Program
What began six decades ago as a scattered, donor-supported feeding scheme in famine-prone hill districts has evolved into a near-universal national entitlement. Today, the program is a flagship government intervention at the intersection of education, nutrition, poverty reduction, and gender equity, feeding basic-level students from early childhood education through grade five across Nepal's 29,000 community schools.
At Shree Bal Jivan Jyoti Secondary School in Makwanpur, the daily menu is carefully curated to meet nutritional requirements. Students receive porridge, grams, beaten rice, chamre (sticky rice), and eggs throughout the five-day school week, with meat served as a special treat once a month.
Funding and Challenges
The Government of Nepal allocates approximately 0.13 USD per student per day. While this represents a significant increase from the previous 0.066 USD cap, local educators argue it falls short of the actual cost required for a nutritionally adequate meal, especially when accounting for infrastructure, kitchen space, and preparation staff.
"The amount being provided by the Government of Nepal is very low," noted Eakraj Gautam, Principal of Shree Bal Jivan Jyoti Secondary School. "Amid this, here at the school, we have been preparing the meals by mobilising our own school staff," Gautam told ANI.
Local Implementation
To ensure dietary requirements, the school has developed a menu allotting dishes based on the days, specially catered to fulfill nutritional needs. "We get halwa, porridge, grams and beaten rice, ghee/sticky rice- Chamre as well as eggs," Sony Praja, a third grader, told ANI. The school also provides chicken or mutton meat once a month, which is the best day for students.
The midday meal program is designed to meet a meaningful share of a school-age child's daily caloric and protein needs, historically combining fortified corn-soya blend, flour, sugar, and oil to reach roughly 470 kilocalories per meal. Schools are increasingly encouraged to diversify menus with eggs, milk, pulses, and seasonal vegetables rather than processed snacks.
At Shree Bal Jivan Jyoti Secondary School, the meal is prepared in a makeshift kitchen under the stairs. Daily, a meal for about 130 students is prepared and checked by the school nurse to ensure quality. The government allocates 0.13 USD per student per day, with a higher rate in selected far-western and remote districts.
Impact on Attendance and Learning
Despite funding constraints, the program's impact on education is undeniable. Pradeep Parajuli, an Education Officer at Manahari Municipality, noted that the meal acts as a critical safety net. "In some schools, the attendance rate remains high because of it; teachers have reported that many students come to school on an empty stomach. This program ensures their access to education and improves their quality of learning," he told ANI.
The government's commitment is reflected in the budget: for the 2026/27 fiscal year, roughly 66.8 million USD has been earmarked for the program, accounting for about 10.3% of the total education and sports budget.
Future Goals
As Nepal moves toward its "School Education Sector Plan" (SESP) 2032 target, which aims to extend coverage through grade eight and reach an estimated 5.3 million students, the focus is shifting toward diversifying menus with locally produced agricultural goods. For students like Shishir, the goal is simple: a consistent meal that fuels both his body and his future.
