Which of the following programmes is known as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Educat… - DSSSB October 2024

DSSSB October 2024

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a centrally sponsored scheme on August 15, 1995.
This program is popularly and officially known as the Mid-day Meal Scheme.
Its primary objectives are to increase school enrolment, attendance, and retention while simultaneously improving the nutritional levels among primary school children.
The scheme was later expanded to include upper primary classes and is now also known as the PM-POSHAN scheme.

Option B: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Programme targets a different population group.
Option C: While related, 'Mid-day Meal Programme' is a more general term. The specific 1995 centrally sponsored initiative is officially called the 'Mid-day Meal Scheme'.
Option D: The Balwadi Nutrition Programme is aimed at preschool children, not children in primary education.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Nutritional Programmes in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Community health nurses play a vital role in monitoring the implementation of the Mid-day Meal Scheme, assessing the nutritional status of children through growth monitoring, and providing health education on hygiene and nutrition.
Nurses are key personnel in identifying children with signs of malnutrition despite the scheme and referring them for further medical intervention, ensuring the program's public health goals are met.
What if? If a school reports several children with food-borne illness after a mid-day meal, the nurse's first priority is to assess the affected children, ensure they receive immediate medical care, and report the incident to public health authorities for investigation of food safety protocols.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is a specific national program: 'National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education' (NP-NSPE).
The question asks what this program is 'known as,' indicating you need to recall its popular or official short name.
Analyze the options. 'Mid-day Meal Scheme' and 'Mid-day Meal Programme' are very similar. Recall that the 1995 NP-NSPE is specifically termed a 'Scheme'.
Differentiate based on the target population. The question specifies 'Primary Education.' This helps eliminate options like ICDS (targets children under 6) and Balwadi Nutrition Programme (targets preschool children).
Select the option that is the most precise and common name for the national program focused on primary school nutrition that was launched in 1995.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: National Nutritional Programmes in India
Stem keywords: National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education, NP-NSPE
Lead-in keywords: known as
Negative lead-in flag: false

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