Abstract:
This research was designed to evaluate nutritional quality of meals served under the
Ghana School Feeding programme in Wa and Cape Coast schools. It also investigated
the safety aspect of the meals. A cross-sectional and descriptive survey research
designs were used in the study. A purposive and simple random sampling techniques
were employed in selecting 720 respondents for the study, comprising 600 pupils, 60
teachers and 60 kitchen staff. Information was obtained using questionnaire,
observation and unstructured interview instruments. Data were analysed using
database and statistical softwares (SPSS, ESHA, FNPD and USDA National Nutrient
Database for Standard Reference). Findings revealed that meals served in the schools
had almost all the food nutrients because a variety of meals were served throughout
the week. However, mean daily energy nutritional value intake and weights of the
meals served to pupils in both schools did not meet the Recommended Nutrient Intake
Value and portion requirements per head. Most schools did not have food storage
places. Kitchens were mostly sheds and firewood was mostly used as cooking fuel.
The smoke from the fire sometimes disturbed teaching classes. Majority of pupils did
not wash their hands with soap under running water. No hand-washing centers for
pupils were also seen in most of the schools studied. Majority of the cooks did not
have health certificate and had neither attended any in-service training in two years.
Some challenges were that the programme had increase the population of pupils
astronomically while instructional materials and school infrastructure had remained
the same. The price rate per meal prescribed by government was also inadequate and
payments to the caterers were irregular and inadequate. Owing to the above findings,
it was recommended that: government should consult experts in food and nutrition in
each region to draw menu which has nutritional benefits using locally grown foods in
each region; government should enact policies for all caterers to buy directly from the
farm gate at cheaper prices; designated and well-built kitchens as well as dining
rooms be provided for schools; school meal inspectors should be assigned to clusters
of schools who would check quality of the meals as well as hygiene of the
environment.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION)
DEGREE
OCTOBER, 2017