GIRL CHILD EDUCATION IN THE SAVELUGU-NANTON MUNICIPALITY: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME'S INTERVENTIONS

The study examined the contributions of food aid provided by the World Food programme (WFP) towards ensuring girl-child enrolment and retention at the basic level in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality. The study resorted to qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection, analysis and presentation. Qualitatively, observation, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were the main techniques used. Quantitatively, the study employed face to face interviews for questionnaire administration. The study reveals that a student qualifies for the food aid of WFP if the monthly attendance is up to 85%. It was further revealed that some few parents were not having much information about WFP's operations in the municipality, but all the female students in the WFP assisted schools were all aware of the programme and received the food aid. The food aid contributed significantly in improving the school policy system such as enrolment, retention, performance, and regular attendance to school, especially at the primary level, but much needs to be done. Also, from the study, it can be concluded that a combination of attitudinal, socio-cultural, economic, political, operational and institutional factors have conspired to restrict female participation in education at the basic level in the study area. The study, therefore, recommends that government sub-agencies and non-governmental organizations should team up their activities to sustain girl-child retention in school. Above all, there is the need for parents and the society at large to have affirmative mind-set towards girls' education. This will help the girl-child to upsurge a well-built personality and self confidence towards school completion.