School feeding scales up enrolment in Gogrial
“I am really happy about the school feeding programme and this is really a very much need for the students who are coming for learning. Because when the students come for learning, and then they have food, they get all the nutrition that are needed, and the physical strength they are in need.” Principal of Christ the King Primary School.
School feeding programme has increased the enrolment at Christ the King Primary School at Ayiel village, Alek South Payam of Gogrial West County, Warrap State.
Fr Bab Daniel, the principal of Christ the King Primary School stated that the the school enrolment had increased this year from 450 pupils in 2022 to 595 pupils this year, an increase of 145 new pupils enrolled.
Bab said the enrolment of girls was 313 which is 52.6 percent while the enrolment of boys was 282, which is 47.4 percent of the enrolment; a difference of 31 pupils, which is 5.2 percent of the enrolment.
“We have 595 students; we find that every year the attendance increasing. Last year actually we were having something like 450; the girls who are enrolled this year are 313, and the boys 282 if I have not mistaken, it is this year enrolment,” he stated.
He appreciated World Food programme (WFP) for the support stressing that it was nutritious and healthy for them.
“I am really happy about the school feeding programme and this is really a very much need for the students who are coming for learning. Because when the students come for learning, and then they have food, they get all the nutrition that are needed, and the physical strength they are in need,” he continued.
Anok Manol, the school head girl said the feeding made the pupils remain at school as they concentrate on studies only.
“The feeding of our school is very good and it is very enjoyable for us. So, like now some of our parents, their crops are not there because the floods spoiled some of our parents’ crops,” Anok explained.
“Some children when they do not get food, they run back home but now, school feeding is making us to wait for the time of going home and attend lessons. And also, some of our vegetables there, their types; so, some when they are not in your body, they lack some balanced diet.”
According to the Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA) Chairperson, Makada Zecharia, the school feeding had been existent since 2013.
But due to the increased enrolment, she said it would be important for WFP to increase the quantity of food it supplies.
The school feeding is part of Asset Creation and Livelihoods Project supported by World Food Programme and implemented by an organization called For Africa.
The feeding programme supports 64 schools in Gogrial West County.
