Food for Education and the Essential Package for School-age Children Flora Sibanda-Mulder Senior Advisor UNICEF/WFP Collaboration 21 July 2005

2 Problems Education Education Health Health Nutrition Nutrition

3 Investing in development The quick wins The quick wins Free mass distribution of impregnated treated nets and effective malaria medicines.. Free mass distribution of impregnated treated nets and effective malaria medicines.. Abolishing user fees in primary schools …. Abolishing user fees in primary schools …. Successful completion of the 3 by 5 campaign to bringing AIDS patients Successful completion of the 3 by 5 campaign to bringing AIDS patients Expansion of school feeding programmes to cover all children in hunger hotspots using locally produced food Expansion of school feeding programmes to cover all children in hunger hotspots using locally produced food Massive replenishment of soil nutrients Massive replenishment of soil nutrients

4 An Appalling Reality There are 300 million chronically hungry children in the world today. There are 300 million chronically hungry children in the world today. Of these, some 180 million go to school on an empty stomach. Of these, some 180 million go to school on an empty stomach. 120 million do not attend school at all 120 million do not attend school at all - 55% of them are girls. - 55% of them are girls. 150 million primary school children drop out before completing five years of education 150 million primary school children drop out before completing five years of education - About two-thirds of them are girls. - About two-thirds of them are girls.

5 FFE - Expected outcomes Enhanced Enrolment Enhanced Enrolment Increased Regular Attendance Increased Regular Attendance Reduced Dropout Reduced Dropout Improved Learning Improved Learning Contribute to better nutrition Contribute to better nutrition

6 School Feeding Works 2.5 additional school days per month Higher enrolment for boys 12% and girls 9% Number of girls per boy enrolled increased by 16% in 4 years Take-home rations: girls enrolment higher than 75%

7 FFE coverage trends Going up, but rather slowly. Going up, but rather slowly. Resources vary from year to year from country to country. Resources vary from year to year from country to country. Planned targets are higher than what is actually achieved due to lack of resources. Planned targets are higher than what is actually achieved due to lack of resources.

8 Our Goal 2000: 12.3 million children 2000: 12.3 million children 2003: 16 million children 2003: 16 million children By 2005: 32 million children By 2005: 32 million children By 2007: By 2007: 50 million

What would we like to offer the 50 million children? Not only food but An Essential Package of interventions to address main problems that hinder education

10 Breaking the cycle Getting children, especially girls, into school and keeping them there. School feeding & take home rations Health & Nutrition Services Capacity building Providing training to health and school staff. Ensuring that health and nutrition are included in the school curriculum; involving local health service providers; working with families.

The Essential Package Of Education, Health and Nutrition Interventions

12 A Childs Vision of Child-Friendly Schools Clean Water Safe, nutritious food A clean school environment School gardens Proper sanitation

13 Health Fuel-saving stoves Canteens Gardens Security Non-food items Take home rations Drinking water HIV/AIDS Hygiene Support to Basic Education School Feeding Latrines Essential Package of school-based interventions

14 Food, Health and Care in Support of EFA Education For All Increase in human capital Improve nutrition and relieve short-term hunger Improve learning capacity Increase enrolment, attendance, retention Help improve HEALTH and NUTRITIONAL status FOOD Increase consumption of food and nutrients HEALTH Deworming Water and Sanitation CARE Health, Nutrition and Hygiene education

15 Policy, Institutional and Financial Issues

16 Resources New Resources, New Sources: Walk the World Walk the World Family to family contribution campaign (at the planning stage): If every family from the developed world authorises a monthly deduction of 1 from their credit card or bank account we can feed 49 million extra children. Family to family contribution campaign (at the planning stage): If every family from the developed world authorises a monthly deduction of 1 from their credit card or bank account we can feed 49 million extra children.

17 Capacity To find out where the hungry children are To find out where the hungry children are Identifying gaps in planned versus actual beneficiaries for every country Identifying gaps in planned versus actual beneficiaries for every country Identifying coverage of non-WFP FFE programmes Identifying coverage of non-WFP FFE programmes Prioritising countries and estimating needs Prioritising countries and estimating needs To work with partners in order to implement the programme effectively To work with partners in order to implement the programme effectively To have at least basic educational infrastructure and staffing in schools. To have at least basic educational infrastructure and staffing in schools.

18 Sustainability Making clear to governments from the beginning that the programme will be transferred to them in the future Making clear to governments from the beginning that the programme will be transferred to them in the future Six elements of a successful exit strategy: Six elements of a successful exit strategy: Setting milestones for achievement Setting milestones for achievement Government commitment Government commitment Community contributions Community contributions Technical support to build school feeding capacity Technical support to build school feeding capacity Programme leadership and communication Programme leadership and communication Involving the private sector Involving the private sector

19 Thank You