The National Mid Day Meal (MDM) programme, implemented across all the government and government-aided schools in India aimed to provide nutritional Meal to each and
every child (6-14 years) in school to achieve the goal of Universalisation of Elementary Education also provides tremendous opportunities to accomplish the objectives
of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). However, it continues to face the neglect of the teaching fraternity as teachers at large consider it as an activity in
isolation, which does not help in teaching learning but consumes the precious time, which otherwise could have been utilised meaningfully for various curricular activities.
Taking cognizance of these although the teachers’ role is limited to the tasting of the MDM being served in schools yet keeping a wider perspective of various policy
documents including the RTE Act 2009 to ensure the overall development of chidren, MDM provides excellent opportunities under Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
In consonance with the principles of ESD and the provisions of the RTE Act 2009, the Resource Book developed by the NCERT on ESD entitled, ‘Towards A Green School’
suggests how MDM can help achieve the curricular objectives besides ensuring the well being of children without putting any extra burden on teachers or students.
A number of the activities suggested in section 3.5 of this document which the teachers may adopt, adapt or design the new ones keeping in view the age and development
level of children to enable them take ownership of the MDM programme of their school and come up with the measures to improve or implement it effectively.