CM’s Breakfast Scheme to be expanded to benefit 20.59 lakh students, says Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday said the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme would be expanded to cover a total of 20.59 lakh across the State. He is set to launch the expansion of the programme for State-aided schools in urban areas at an event in Chennai on Tuesday (August 26, 2025).

The State government on Sunday listed its achievements in student welfare and developing school infrastructure across the State. It said the State Education Policy was a bold initiative for the future, reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s deep-rooted commitment to social equality in education.

The Illam Thedi Kalvi programme was allocated ₹660.35 crore from 2021-22 and benefited 3.4 million students with the help of 1.65 lakh volunteers. “In 2025-26, the scheme operated with an allocation of ₹44.14 crore, with 5,98,600 students benefiting from 34,000 Illam Thedi Kalvi centres,” the government said.

The Ennum Ezhuthum programme had been benefiting 2.5 million students in 37,767 government and aided primary schools. High-speed internet has been provided to 28,067 government primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools. “Work is in progress to establish internet services in the remaining 6,540 government schools.”

The work to set up 8,209 high-tech laboratories in government middle, high, and higher secondary schools at an estimated cost of ₹519.73 crore was nearing completion, the government said. About 22,900 smart classrooms have been set up at a cost of ₹455.32 crore, benefiting 16,77,043 students in government schools and fostering their talents.