The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Jacob Anaba, has called for an immediate audit of school enrolment figures used to determine allocations under Ghana's National School Feeding Programme. This call follows concerns raised by the National Coordinator of the School Feeding Programme, Hajia Fati Forgor, that some head teachers allegedly inflate pupil enrolment figures to secure higher allocations.
According to Mr Anaba, the alleged manipulation of enrolment figures is a serious abuse of responsibility that cheats the state and undermines the objectives of the programme. He described the situation as unacceptable and emphasized that an audit would help verify the actual number of pupils in beneficiary schools and ensure that allocations were based on accurate data.
The NAGRAT President stressed that accurate enrolment data is essential to ensuring that resources under the School Feeding Programme are distributed fairly and reach the pupils who need them. He also called for greater attention to the nutritional quality of meals served to pupils under the programme. Mr Anaba said meals provided at schools should contain sufficient nutrients to support the health, concentration and learning of children.
Mr Anaba's comments come at a time when the School Feeding Programme plays an important role in supporting pupils' participation in school. He emphasized that the programme should therefore be implemented transparently and effectively. The programme aims to improve the nutritional status of school-age children and enhance their ability to learn.
NAGRAT's call for an audit is also significant given the potential impact of the alleged inflation of enrolment figures on the distribution of resources. If some schools are receiving more funds than they need, it could deprive genuinely needy schools of adequate support. An audit would help identify those responsible and bring them to book.
The issue has sparked concerns about the management of the School Feeding Programme and the need for greater oversight. The programme is a critical component of Ghana's efforts to improve education outcomes and reduce poverty. Effective implementation and management of the programme are essential to achieving its objectives.
The government has not yet commented on the allegations or NAGRAT's call for an audit. However, the issue is likely to receive attention given the importance of the School Feeding Programme and the need for transparency and accountability in its implementation.
Key points
- NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba calls for an audit of school enrolment figures used to determine allocations under Ghana's National School Feeding Programme.
- The alleged inflation of enrolment figures could deprive genuinely needy schools of adequate support.
- Accurate enrolment data is essential to ensuring that resources under the School Feeding Programme are distributed fairly and reach the pupils who need them.
