Survey on school feeding reveals serious threats to the health

Pupils of a community school enjoying their meal courtesy the school feeding programme

A survey conducted into the activities of the National School Feeding Programme in parts of the country has revealed serious threats to the health of pupils.

The survey conducted by SEND Foundation, an NGO indicates over 60 percent of schools running the programme do not have kitchen structures, whiles a higher percentage do not have adequate stock of kitchenware like plates and cups.

The Project Officer of SEND foundation, Diana Ndego, disclosed this at a regional policy dialogue on the school feeding programme held in Tamale.

In a report filed by Joy News' Northern Regional correspondent Mahama Shaibu, the survey also revealed that 40 percent of the beneficiary schools did not have access to safe drinking water compelling pupils to take time off to support the programme.

Nearly 26 percent of the schools do not have access to toilet facilities while 35 percent lacked toilet facilities.

Northern Regional Minister Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina said government has already spent GH¢65.7 million on 595,000 people but stressed the target is 1.2 million people by 2010.

Participants suggested that the feeding programme be depoliticized and suggested district implementation committees should be chaired by officials from the Ghana Education Service (GES) rather than District Chief Executives.

Story by Mahama Shaibu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana