Mon Sep 08 13:43:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Parents in Coimbatore, India, are requesting that the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, currently only for students in classes 1-5, be extended to high and higher secondary students (classes 6-12). They argue that older students often have significant responsibilities and travel long distances, leading them to miss breakfast. The extension would alleviate financial burdens on families and ensure older students start their day with a nutritious meal. While the scheme is being rolled out in phases, currently covering 1,127 schools in Coimbatore, there are no immediate plans to extend it to older students, according to a senior official from the Coimbatore School Education Department. An education expert suggests a pilot study to explore the feasibility of expanding both the breakfast and noon meal programs.

**News Article:**

**Coimbatore Parents Plead for Expansion of School Breakfast Scheme**

**Coimbatore, India – September 8, 2025** – Parents in Coimbatore are advocating for the extension of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme to include high and higher secondary school students, arguing that older children often face circumstances that lead them to skip breakfast.

Currently, the scheme provides nutritious meals to students in classes 1 through 5 in 1,127 government and government-aided schools across the Coimbatore district. Parents contend that extending the program to older students would alleviate financial burdens on families and ensure all students, regardless of age, start their school day properly fueled.

“Older children often have household responsibilities or travel long distances, which forces them to skip breakfast,” explained S. Basha, a parent from Mettupalayam. Thangamani, a domestic worker whose son dropped out of school, emphasized the financial relief an extended breakfast program would provide to families struggling to afford daily meals.

While the Coimbatore School Education Department confirmed the scheme is being rolled out in phases, most recently expanding to government-aided schools, a senior official stated that there are no immediate plans to include older students.

S. Sivakumar, a retired principal, suggests a pilot study to assess the viability of expanding both the breakfast scheme and the noon meal program. He noted the higher nutritional needs of adolescents and the increased financial pressures faced by families with older children, particularly concerning textbooks, extracurricular activities, and personal expenses.

The push for expansion highlights the ongoing need to address food security and nutritional well-being among students in Coimbatore. The current program has been well-received, and parents are hopeful that the government will consider extending its reach to benefit older students as well.

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