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The Effects of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on Cognitive and Health Outcomes of Children in Andhra Pradesh

Author

Listed:
  • Danilo Cavapozzi

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

  • Enrico Fornasiero

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

  • Teresa Randazzo

    (University of Naples Parthenope; Fondazione CMCC; RFF-CMCC EIEE)

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on the health and cognitive outcomes of schooling children living in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. We exploit the variability derived from the individual educational history of children, combined with the phased implementation of the program targeting only students in the public sector, to construct a variable measuring the monthly cumulative exposure to the Mid-Day Scheme. We provide evidence of the positive impact of the policy on children attending public schools, particularly in reducing inequalities between children enrolled in the private and public sectors. Lastly, employing a Heckman Selection model accounting for the selection issue on the type of school attended by children, we show that the impact of the policy is positive and consistent regardless of the type of school attended.

Suggested Citation

  • Danilo Cavapozzi & Enrico Fornasiero & Teresa Randazzo, 2024. "The Effects of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on Cognitive and Health Outcomes of Children in Andhra Pradesh," Working Papers 2024: 14, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    • Handle: RePEc:ven:wpaper:2024:14
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Midday meal; School Feeding; Learning; Health; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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