On 15 June 2026, the Telangana government rolled out a revamped breakfast programme for students from pre‑primary to intermediate level. The first phase covered 1,302 institutions – 1,269 schools and 33 junior colleges – serving about 145,000 children. The initiative aims to make school a more welcoming place, especially in rural areas, by providing a simple breakfast that can influence enrolment and daily attendance.
A survey conducted in the Kodangal constituency, which the Chief Minister represents, gathered data from 575 parents, 1,153 students and 176 teachers and headmasters. The report, prepared by Third Vision Research and Services, found a 13% rise in enrolment across 60 schools (30 primary and 30 high), adding 1,525 new pupils, 882 boys and 643 girls. Attendance improved by 20‑22%, with 89.2% of teachers noting better attendance and 92.8% of parents reporting that their children wanted to attend school more regularly.
Teachers observed several health and behavioural gains. Ninety‑eight percent reported fewer hunger complaints, while 89.2% noted a reduction in mid‑morning health problems. Energy levels were higher (88.1%), participation increased (83%), and academic interest and concentration rose to 81.2% and 76.1% respectively. Ninety‑six percent of teachers said breakfast was served on time and 98.9% said the programme ran smoothly.
Parents and students expressed high satisfaction. Ninety‑five percent of parents rated the breakfast as good or very good, and 96.2% would recommend government schools to others. Students gave positive ratings on taste (91.3%), food quality (92.7%), freshness (95.9%) and cleanliness (92.3%), though only 84.6% were satisfied with quantity. The most popular items were bonda and chutney (98.1%), followed by dosa and chutney (95.3%) and millet idli with sambar (93.6%).
Despite overall success, the survey highlighted areas for improvement. Food quality was cited in 43.6% of improvement requests, alongside concerns over serving arrangements, plate and storage facilities, and oil usage. While 90.8% of parents were aware of the scheme, only 74% of students knew about it. The report recommends greater consistency in preparation and stricter control of oil to enhance the programme’s impact.
