THE IMPACT OF GHANA SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME ON FEMALE ENROLMENT, ATTENDANCE AND RETENTION IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study seeks to assess the role of the Ghana School Feeding Programme in girls’ enrolment, attendance and retention in some basic schools in the Wa Municipality. Using a mixed design strategy, primary data were obtained from different members of staff of the Ghana Education Service, the programme implementing committee, and parents of school girls in the Wa Municipality. The results indicated that the programme has influenced girls’ enrolment, attendance and retention in beneficiary schools. Attention was given to schools with low enrolment of females during the selection of schools. Besides, the meals provided for the students cuts down household expenditure on education for girls. The programme also reduces the incidence of sexual activities among girls. This occurs through its effect of reducing short term hunger that pushes girls into sexual activities in order to get money and buy food during school hours. Moreover, the programmes motivated parents to enroll and keep their girls in school by generating direct or indirect livelihood sources for them. By empowering parents and providing meals for girls during school socio-economic challenges such as poverty and sexual harassment which were affecting girls’ enrolment in basic schools have been minimized. The study recommends that management of the programme should give special attention for girls. Strong collaboration among stakeholder is also recommended in order to fight immoral activities among girls in basic schools in the Wa Municipality.