Abstract:
This study assessed the effect of the Ghana School Feeding Programme on enrolment, attendance and retention in some basic schools in the Fanteakwa South District. By using purposive sampling strategy, primary data were obtained from different members of staff of the Ghana Education Service, the Head teachers, Agric office, students, and caterers in the Fanteakwa South District. The results showed that the programme have influence on enrolment, attendance and retention in beneficiary schools in the District. The meals provided for the students have cuts down household expenditure on education. The programme also has reduced the incidence of child labour since food is provided for children at school. Moreover, the programme have motivated parents to enroll and keep their wards in school by generating direct or indirect livelihood sources for them. The study recommended that due to the magnitude of the impact, any Government that comes to power should continue the sustenance of the programme to help reduce the illiteracy rate in the district. Also it recommended that Government should make sure caterers payment are not delayed so that they can continue providing food on time to the beneficiary schools in the District Another recommendation is that recruitment of caterers should have nothing to do with political affiliation. Again, it is also recommended that kitchens need to be provided for the caterers so that they can desist from cooking from the homes.
