Home-grown School Meals Programme: Cameroonian Stakeholders Propose Ways, Means

Cameroonian stakeholders met in Mbankomo near Yaounde the Cameroonian capital on Wednesday December 13, 2023 for a one-day workshop to discuss the evaluation of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme implemented by Nascent Solutions and the Cameroonian government.

High-level Participation
Discussions were chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education, Oyono Adams Daniel and His Excellency Christopher John Lamora, the United States of America, USA Ambassador to Cameroon. Nascent Solutions Cameroon Country Director, Dr Njakoi Henry oversaw discussions in workshops. While Mrs. Bilame Anny-Flore and Sampson Nuvaga, also of Nascent Solutions, did the moderation.

Independent Evaluation
Some 56 people representing different ministries and stakeholder organisations, seven councils and Nascent Solutions, took part in the discussions. After familiarising themselves with the results of the final project evaluation carried out by US-based Evaluation Technology for Development, ET4D, participants went on to discuss strategies for institutionalising a home-grown school meals programme in the country. And came up with recommendations.

Decentralisation, Local Governments
Concerning the ministry in charge of decentralisation, local councils and the Council Support Fund, FEICOM, it was recommended that partnership agreements should continue to be signed with Nascent Solutions. Separate budget lines be set aside for school feeding and a multi-sectoral approach be adopted to the project.

The Share Of Local Councils
Participants proposed that school canteens be included in council development plans and in the budget of the Ministry of Basic Education. They were of the opinion that kitchens and warehouses be constructed in schools, other sources of funding for school canteens sought and a focal point for school canteens be designated. Also, workshop participants called for land to be provided and secured for agricultural purposes. And that proceeds from agriculture be used to support the training of teachers. While stakeholders from council areas will be mobilised to increase and conserve local agricultural production.

Support From Education
Under education, delegates called for the construction of classrooms, toilets, water supply points, etc. Support for the training of teachers, secure schools and foodstuff and seek co-financing. Concerning health and nutrition, they urged those concerned to provide and facilitate access to health centres, offer drinkable water, and construct and rehabilitate toilets. As well as increase the number of durable hand-washing points in schools, and put in place opportunities to educate, sensitise and communicate on hygiene and disease prevention.

The Place Of Other Stakeholders
The appeal was also made to other government stakeholders to organise a workshop to review and adopt the draft National School Feeding Strategy. Then forward the said document to the Prime Minister, Head of Government for approval. They are also expected to organise another workshop to present the strategy to the public, prepare a draft bill on school feeding in Cameroon. And lobby for the bill to be passed by Parliament. After which they should carry out advocacy for the creation of a parliamentary group on school feeding in Cameroon.

Technical, Financial Partners
Finally, technical and financial partners to the project should sensitise and communicate through appropriate ICTs on the need to adopt a feeding programme in schools based on local food production. Prepare schools to adopt the programme by carrying out advocacy to equip schools with basic infrastructure such as improved wells, toilets, kitchens, fences, etc. And propose the implementation and progressive evaluation of the school feeding strategy all over the country, workshop participants recommended.

About The Programme
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme ran from 2018-2023. In four of Cameroon’s administrative regions - the North West, East, Adamawa and North. As well as in the Centre Region. The project is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA through the United States Agency for International Development, USAID to the tune of 27 million US dollars. It seeks to improve the literacy of school-age children through the improved quality of instruction, pupil attentiveness and attendance. And the use of positive health, nutrition and dietary practice...