Students and teachers have been alarmed by the United Nation’s decision to suspend food aid which could lead to many children dropping out of school.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) there will be a reduction in food rations for almost 6.2 million people in South Sudan. What is more concerning is that out of the 6.2 million, among them are 178,000 children who are fed in schools. The reason for this has been attributed to the shortage of food funds.
“We cannot come to school without food,” said one learner from the country to the British Broadcasting Corporation the beneficiaries of the WFP’s feeding program.
Many other learners revealed how important the feeding program is with one 17-year-old saying,” The school gives us beans and sorghum and this improves learning because children do not have money for breakfast and we depend on this food and we stay in school during break time.”
According to one of the administrators of the school, the reduction in food aid is “sad news” and will affect many students in the school.
“If the food supply is stopped, children will not be coming to school. I am urging the WFP and the international community at large to continue supporting the school feeding program,” said the administrator.
Already, this term’s enrolment in schools has a big hugely hit with only 350 girls reporting to school. The new term began this Wednesday.