The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Jacob Anaba, has called for an immediate audit of school enrolment figures used to determine allocations under Ghana’s National School Feeding Programme.
His call follows concerns raised by the National Coordinator of the School Feeding Programme, Hajia Fati Forgor, over allegations that some head teachers inflate pupil enrolment figures to secure higher allocations for their schools.
According to the concerns raised, such practices could result in resources being unfairly distributed and potentially deprive schools with genuine needs of adequate support.
Speaking to Accra-based Citi News on Friday, September 25, Mr Anaba said the allegations must be thoroughly investigated to determine the extent of the alleged manipulation and identify those responsible.
He described the alleged inflation of enrolment figures as a serious abuse of responsibility, arguing that it could undermine the objectives of the School Feeding Programme and amount to cheating the state.
“If you have been given a position to deliver something to our kids, a critical one at that, and you are inflating the figures, it means that you are cheating the system, the state, and we shouldn’t allow that to pass.”
NAGRAT demands audit
Mr Anaba called for a comprehensive audit of enrolment figures in beneficiary schools to establish the actual number of pupils and ensure that allocations are based on accurate and verifiable data.
“We will call for an audit to show that we can find out those who are doing that and bring them to book,” he said.
The NAGRAT President maintained that accurate enrolment data is critical to ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of resources under the School Feeding Programme.
He noted that any deliberate manipulation of figures could distort the allocation process and undermine efforts to provide meals to pupils who genuinely depend on the programme.
Focus on nutritional quality
Beyond the issue of enrolment figures, Mr Anaba also urged authorities to pay greater attention to the nutritional quality of meals served to pupils.
He stressed that meals provided under the programme should contain adequate nutrients to support the health, concentration and educational development of children.
“The food they give to our children in the school should be something that will nourish them, will give them the nourishment that they can be able to sustain in the classroom,” he said.
According to him, the School Feeding Programme should not only focus on the number of pupils served but also ensure that the meals provided contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and learning of beneficiaries.
Call for transparency
The NAGRAT President stressed that the National School Feeding Programme plays an important role in supporting school attendance and helping children remain engaged in education.
He therefore called on the relevant authorities to verify enrolment figures, investigate allegations of manipulation and take appropriate action where wrongdoing is established.
NAGRAT is also urging authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that funds and food allocations are based on accurate data and that resources reach their intended beneficiaries.
The association maintains that greater transparency, accountability and proper oversight are necessary to protect the integrity of the School Feeding Programme and ensure that its benefits reach the pupils for whom it was designed.
