Assessment of Relevance and Challenges of the School Feeding Programme In Some Basic Schools In Mpohor-Wassa East District

Abstract

This study sought to assess the relevance and challenges of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in some Basic schools in the Mpohor-Wassa East District. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The purposive sampling procedure was used to select 21 respondents made up of one (1) coordinator of the GSFP; five (5) head teachers; five (5) caterers and ten (10) Basic school teachers (2 teachers each) from five (5) Basic schools where GSFP have been implemented for more than the past two (2) decades. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics mainly frequency and percentages. The study revealed that since the inception of the GSFP in the District there have been significant improvements in pupils’ enrolment and attendance rates, leading to reduction in absenteeism and drop-out rates. It was also found out that GSFP did not cover all the Basic schools in the District but covers only few selected schools. It was also observed that the feeding cost per pupil per day was insufficient and also not released on time. Finally, it was observed that caterers did not have suitable kitchen for cooking and pupils’ also did not have proper canteens and that they eat the food in open spaces. It was recommended that Ghana government should extend the GSFP to cover all the Basic schools so as to reduce short-term hunger of pupils during classes’ hours; and also stakeholders should provide suitable kitchen for cooking and proper canteens for the pupils so as to avoid eating in unhygienic open spaces.