Punjab Government Approves Rs. 6.87 Billion School Meal Program
School Meal Program
School Meal Program Punjab government has approved a major school meal program with a budget of Rs. 6.87 billion. The initiative is expected to start from September and will provide milk and biscuits to more than one million students in selected schools across the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formally approved the program for the current fiscal year. Under the initiative, 7,294 schools in 13 districts will be covered. The main purpose is to provide regular nutritional support to schoolchildren during their school days.
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Punjab Approves Rs. 6.87 Billion School Meal Program
The Punjab School Education Department is preparing to launch the new school meal initiative from September. The government has allocated Rs. 6.87 billion for the program, showing a significant focus on improving food support for children studying in government schools.
The initiative will cover more than one million students. Instead of providing a full cooked meal, the program will mainly distribute milk and biscuits on selected school days. This approach will allow students to receive nutritional support as part of their regular school routine.
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Over One Million Students to Receive Free Milk and Biscuits
Around 1.028 million students are expected to benefit from the Punjab school meal program. Students will receive milk three days a week, while milk and biscuits will be given on one additional day.
For many families, even a small amount of food support can make a difference in a child’s school day. The program is therefore designed to provide students with a regular source of nutrition while they are attending school.
Under the planned schedule, students will receive:
- Milk on three days every week.
- Milk and biscuits on one additional day.
- Food support during the school week.
- Coverage through selected schools in 13 districts.
7,294 Schools Included in the New Initiative
The government has selected 7,294 schools for the implementation of the program. These schools are located across 13 districts of Punjab, with the initiative focusing on areas included in the government’s current coverage plan.
The large number of participating schools means the program will reach students at a considerable scale. Rather than being limited to a small pilot project, the initiative is being implemented across multiple districts during the current fiscal year.
The program will operate in:
- Government schools included in the selected districts.
- 13 districts across Punjab.
- A total of 7,294 schools.
- Schools serving around 1.028 million students.
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Districts Covered Under Punjab School Meal Program
The school meal initiative will be implemented in 13 districts of Punjab. These districts include several areas in southern and central parts of the province.
Students and parents should remember that the announced coverage is district-specific. The program is not described as a province-wide initiative for every school in Punjab. The selected districts are:
- Bahawalnagar
- Bhakkar
- Chiniot
- Dera Ghazi Khan
- Kot Addu
- Layyah
- Lodhran
- Mianwali
- Muzaffargarh
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Rajanpur
- Taunsa
- Vehari
How the School Meal Program Will Work
The distribution system is straightforward. Students covered by the initiative will receive milk three times during the school week. On one more day, they will receive both milk and biscuits.
This means the program is focused on regular distribution rather than a one-time food package. Schools included in the initiative will be responsible for providing the announced items to eligible students according to the program schedule.
The planned weekly arrangement is:
| School Days | Items Provided |
|---|---|
| 3 days | Milk |
| 1 additional day | Milk and biscuits |
| Total | 4 distribution days per week |
Punjab’s School Meal Initiative Started Earlier
The current program builds on an initiative that Punjab had already introduced in previous years. The school meal program was initially launched in three districts during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
After the initial phase, the government expanded the initiative to 13 districts during the 2024-25 fiscal year. This expansion increased the number of students and schools that could benefit from milk and biscuit distribution.
The earlier phases provided the government with an opportunity to extend the initiative beyond its original limited coverage. The current announcement continues this approach in the same 13 districts.
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Current-Year Program Will Continue in 13 Districts
For the current fiscal year, the Punjab government plans to continue providing milk and biscuits to students in the same 13 districts. The newly approved budget will support the continuation of the initiative on a much larger scale.
This is important for students who are already covered under the school meal initiative. Rather than ending after the previous phase, the program is being continued for another fiscal year with a substantial financial allocation.
The current plan includes:
- Rs. 6.87 billion in allocated funding.
- 7,294 participating schools.
- Around 1.028 million students.
- Continued coverage across 13 districts.
- Regular distribution of milk and biscuits.
Who Will Benefit From the Punjab School Meal Scheme?
The main beneficiaries will be students studying in the schools included in the selected 13 districts. The announced coverage is expected to reach approximately 1.028 million children.
It is important to understand that the available information does not indicate that every student across Punjab will automatically receive the items. The program is being implemented through the selected schools and districts mentioned by the government.
Parents should therefore first check whether their child’s school falls within the announced coverage area. Schools and education authorities are expected to provide further details about distribution arrangements as implementation begins.
Expected Benefits for Schoolchildren
Providing milk and biscuits during school days can give children additional nutritional support while they are away from home. For students who attend school for several hours, having access to food during the day can also help them stay active and focused.
The program is particularly significant because it is being implemented on a large scale. With more than one million students included, the initiative could provide regular nutritional assistance to a substantial number of children in Punjab.
Some potential benefits include:
- Additional nutritional support for growing children.
- Milk as a regular source of nourishment.
- Food support during school hours.
- Better access to basic nutrition for students in covered schools.
- Continued assistance throughout the current fiscal year.
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Punjab School Meal Program at a Glance
The key details of the initiative are summarized below so parents, students, and teachers can quickly understand the announcement.
| Program Detail | Latest Information |
|---|---|
| Total Budget | Rs. 6.87 billion |
| Expected Start | September |
| Students Covered | 1.028 million |
| Schools Covered | 7,294 |
| Districts | 13 |
| Main Items | Milk and biscuits |
| Milk Distribution | 3 days a week |
| Milk + Biscuits | 1 additional day |
| Program Period | Current fiscal year |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Punjab School Meal Program start?
The Punjab government is planning to launch the school meal program from September. The initiative has already received formal approval from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
How many students will benefit from the program?
Around 1.028 million students are expected to receive milk and biscuits through the initiative.
How many schools are included?
The program will be implemented in 7,294 schools located across the 13 selected districts of Punjab.
What will students receive?
Students will receive milk three days a week. On one additional day, they will receive milk along with biscuits.
Which districts are covered?
The program covers Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Lodhran, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Taunsa, and Vehari.
Is this a completely new program?
No. The initiative was first introduced in three districts during the 2023-24 fiscal year and was later expanded to 13 districts in 2024-25. The Punjab government is now continuing it during the current fiscal year.
Final Words
The approval of the Rs. 6.87 billion school meal program is a major step in Punjab’s efforts to provide nutritional support to schoolchildren. With around 1.028 million students and 7,294 schools included, the program has a much wider reach than its initial phase.
The planned distribution of milk and biscuits will continue across 13 districts from September. For parents, the most important point is to check whether their children’s school is included in the selected districts. As implementation begins, schools and education authorities are expected to provide more information about the distribution schedule and arrangements.
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