Introduction

Education is a life long process and a great force behind the progress of a nation.
Universal elementary education has remained a top priority with the government ever
since education was placed on the concurrent list in 1976. Sarva shiksha abhiyan was
elvolved from the recommendation of the state education minister conference held in
october 1998 to pursue universal elementary eeducatio in a mission mode. There are a
number of other centrally sponsored scemes to achieve the objective of universalization
of primary education. One of the scheme that greatly encourages in the enrollment
children in primary education is that of the mid dasy meal.
Mid day meal is a well intentioned programme government of india has attempted to
address the fundamental problems, health, education ans overall development of
children. This scheme was initiated on the basis of the philosophy that when children
have to sit in classes empty stomach, they cannot focus on learning. The scheme is also
important for improving enrolment of primary school children while simultaneously
improving their nutritional status.
Effects of Mid day meal on Enrollment in primary Education in Shillong
The national programme for nutritional support to primary education commnly known
as mid day meal scheme has been implemented in Meghalaya since 1995. The primary
motive behind running mid day meal scheme is to improve the status of primary
education by enhencement of enrollment. it supports health nutrition and educational
goals consequently will have a multi pronged impact on a state's overall social and
economc development. It provides children with atleast one nutritionally adequate meal
a day. This programme is known to lead to higher attention spans, better concentration
and improved class performance. School meal programe also provides parents with a
strong incentive to send children to school thereby encouraging enrollment and reducing
absenteeism and dropout rates. There is also evidence to suggest that apart rom
enhancing school attendance and child nutrition, mid day meals have an important
social values and foster equality.
Year wise enrollment of students
Year of enrollment no. Of students % in increase ofenrollment
2003-2004 3542 0.00
2004-2005 4276 20.72
2005-2006 4961 16.02
2006-2007 5963 20.20
2007-2008 6828 14.51
the above table reveals the increment in enrollment of students that may assume due to
mid daymeal

Statistical data

Conclusion
From the above study we can conclude that mid day meal to a great extent encouraged
poor families to enrol their children in government schools and thereby enable them to
guarantee atleast one square meal a day. This has resulted in improving the enrollment
of primary school students which would further add to the literacy rate in the state. This
policy enjoined the state to ensure full physical and mental development of children.