GHANA SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME AND ITS EFFECTS ON ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION AMONG SELECTED BASIC SCHOOLS IN THE KASSENA NANKANA WEST DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the Ghana school feeding program and its effects on enrollment and retention of pupils in schools in the Kassena-Nankana West District. The study used the case study method research design. The total population was 250 respondents in the Kassena Nankana West District.  Census method was used to select all the 250 teachers from the selected schools. Questionnaires were the main instrument used to gather primary data. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) was used for the analysis. The study results revealed that the enrollment rate of School Feeding Programme Schools (SFPS) rose compared to non-beneficiary school feeding programme schools. To add more, the retention rate of the school feeding programme schools also increased compared to non-beneficiary school feeding programme schools.  The challenges affecting the implementation of the school feeding programme in Kassena Nankana West District are that in Ghana the release of funds for the programme has been inconsistent, a delay in the release of feeding grants subsequently affects beneficiary pupils, moreover, evidences from the schools on School Feeding Programme shows that facilities for sanitation and hygiene are not up to the required standard. The study recommended that the coordinators of the School Feeding Programme should organise periodic seminars, conferences and training programmes to educate caterers of the School Feeding Programme regarding hygienic practices that could guarantee the pupils health.