Garu-Tempane starts school feeding programme

Garu (U/E), Aug 4, GNA - Mr Boniface Gambilla, the Upper East Regional Minister, has launched the national basic school-feeding programme at the Presbyterian Primary School, one of the five selected schools in the Garu-Tempane District on a pilot basis.

Three hundred and sixty-nine pupils in the school will be provided with a meal each day as part of government's efforts to reduce hunger and malnourishment in deprived communities.

The programme, under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aims to boost local food production, increase school enrolment and ensure regular attendance and retention of pupils in basic schools.

Mr Gambilla said the provision of nutritious meals was the surest way to improve the minds of the pupils for effective learning to achieve the purpose of being in school.

He explained that where children are fed, the incidence of getting sick frequently is reduced, thereby decreasing the number times they seek medical treatment.

Mr Gambilla said the programme was to ensure that the Free Compulsory Basic Education (FCUBE) was carried out to the letter. Mr. Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri, the District Chief Executive, said the introduction of the capitation grant had increased enrolment to 28,381 in the 2005/06 from 22,533 in the 2004/05 academic year, representing an increase of 26 per cent.

The Regional Monitoring Officer, Mr Latif Solomon said the government was determined to sustain the programme and urged all stakeholders to assist it.