Effect Of The Government School Feeding Policy In Ghana

Ghana gain independence in 1957 and has since wish to enhance its educational structures.This prompted the leadership of the country to introduce a policy that can provide free meals to school children within the primary level of education.A pilot policy was then started in 10 schools,which were chosen from every area in the nation and August 2006,the quantity of schools was expanded to 200 to cover around 69,000 primary level students in district in the nation.The Ghana school feeding policy(GSFP)was executed under the activity of the African Agricultural Development Pillar 3,which expects to enhance food security and decrease hunger in accordance with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals(MDGs).Based on this,the researcher decided to find out the effect of the government school feeding policy in Ghana with specific attention to the Atwima Kwanwoma District.The following research questions were sent to guide the study.First,How GSFP can influence primary school enrolment in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in Ghana?Second,how has the GSFP influenced pupil retention in schools in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in Ghana?Third,what are the implications of the GSFP on people teacher ratio?Finally,what are the key challenges in the implementation of the GSFP policy within Atwima Kwanwoma District in Ghana?What recommendations can be make based on findings on what the people in the study area benefited or can benefit from the GSFP? Theoretically,the hierarchy of needs theory by Abraham Maslow and the expectancy theory were adopted for this study.This is because motivation has the accompanying capacities: spurs,empower and maintain conduct.It stimulates the conduct of the human beings and excites them for activity which can cause effect on them.The study adopted the mixed method of data collection and presentation to examine 130 respondents from 30 schools within the Atwima Kwanwoma District in Ghana.The survey was used to solicit general information from the respondents on their views on the topic such as the effects of the GSFP on the rate of enrolment.The surveys also yielded quantitative data.The interviews were used to generate qualitative,specific and in-depth facts about the study.The observation was used in gaining firsthand information on the study.The study collected data from teachers,parents,pupils,caterers of the policy,and staff from the district directorate of education and suppliers of food these schools.Secondary sources of data such as newspapers,article and internet sources were used.Records of enrolment before and during the GSFP were also used for comparisons.These were done based on ethical principles that deal with voluntary participation,no harm to respondents,anonymity and confidentiality,identifying purpose and sponsor,and analysis and reporting.Each guideline was addressed individually with explanations to help eliminate or control any ethical concerns.The study came up with findings that can be concluded that enrolment,academic performance,retention and pupil-teacher ratio are affected by the GSFP and the policy faces some challenges that the policy implementers need to consider.However,the policy is seen as a good one and should be continue since it has benefited a lot of primary school children in Ghana.More attention needs to be paid to the preparation of the food,a type of assistance scheme for the caterers educating them on how to best prepare such large quantities of food whilst maintaining good quality overall is essential.Also,a number of comments in the surveys referred to the major delay in caterers receiving payment for their work,in the absence of payment caterers understandably do not pay the same degree of effort and attention into the process as they simply lack the incentive to do so.The researcher recommended that is:Caterers should have periodic training;Caterers should improve the nutritional status of the food they serve;Government should release funds on time and ensure effective disbursement mechanisms.iv.Improve and extend to other schools;Monitoring of caterers should be massive;Health and safety practices should be adhered to.