Evaluation of the School Feeding Programme in South Sudan (2018-2023)
The evaluation of the School Feeding Programme in South Sudan (2018-2023) reveals its effectiveness in enhancing educational outcomes and addressing food insecurity, despite facing significant funding cuts and infrastructure challenges. Recommendations recommend focusing on securing funds, improving community involvement, and strengthening local food systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
The WFP South Sudan Country Office commissioned a decentralized evaluation of the School Feeding Programme (SFP) from January 2018 to February 2023. Since its inception in 2011, the SFP has aimed to provide safe, nutritious food to school-age children and support the livelihoods of food-insecure smallholders, benefiting over 900 schools with a total funding of USD 226 million during the evaluation period.
The evaluation employed a mixed-methods approach, including a cross-sectional comparative study design. A with/without analysis was used to assess the effects of the SFP by comparing student outcomes in schools receiving assistance against those that did not. Findings indicated high relevance and coherence of the programme, showing positive impact on learning outcomes, particularly in basic literacy and numeracy scores among boys compared to girls.
Despite its effectiveness in raising educational standards, the programme faced limitations due to inadequate infrastructure to accommodate increased enrollment in intervention schools. Furthermore, funding cuts hindered the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness amidst rising humanitarian needs. Political commitment to the SFP was evident, yet insufficient government financial backing poses a significant threat to its sustainability.
The evaluation highlighted the potential of the home-grown school feeding (HGSF) approach, which relies on locally procured produce, as well as the importance of adopting a multi-sectoral strategy, including necessary school infrastructure, to promote sustainability. Prioritized recommendations include securing funds for school feeding programs due to persistent food scarcity and emphasizing improved community involvement in programme implementation.
Additionally, the recommendations stress the generation of evidence regarding the HGSF programme’s impact on local food systems, enhancement of monitoring frameworks, development of more inclusive practices for persons living with disabilities, and bolstering governmental technical capacity to effectively manage school feeding logistics at various levels.
The School Feeding Programme in South Sudan, implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) since 2011, aims to ensure that children have access to nutritious food and support local agricultural livelihoods. The evaluation, focusing on activities from 2018 to 2023, assesses the programme’s efficacy in improving educational outcomes and addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations. With substantial funding and a significant number of supported schools, this evaluation provides insights into the programme’s impact and areas for improvement.
In conclusion, the evaluation of the School Feeding Programme in South Sudan demonstrates its significant contributions to student learning outcomes while highlighting substantial challenges related to funding and infrastructure. It emphasizes the need for enhanced government commitment, community engagement, and innovative approaches like the home-grown school feeding model for sustainability. Addressing these challenges and improving monitoring and inclusivity will be vital for the programme’s future success.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
