Top > Regional Affairs > Africa > TICAD > Illustrative List Of Ongoing and Pipeline Projects/Programs For African Development As a Reference Document for TICAD II > I. Social Development and Poverty Reduction (1.1 Education) > School canteens and Assistance to the Education Sector. (Project number 5208.01)

School Canteens and Assistance to the Education Sector
Project / Program Summary

I.Basic data

Sector(s): Nutrition, Education
Title: School canteens and Assistance to the Education Sector. (Project number 5208.01)
Donor country/ organization: World Food Programme (WFP)
Other donors / organizations involved: Ministry of Education
Beneficiary countries / regions: BENIN
Implementing a gencies in beneficiary countries / regions: Ministry of Education
Duration: 4 years
Starting Date: July 1999
Project / Program budget: WFP USD 9,801,242 and Government
USD 2,998,224
Finance / Type of cooperation: Grant/Food Aid

II.Project / program description

  1. Objectives
    WFP assistance to Benin in the education sector began in 1974 with projects Benin 2096.00, expanded twice, and projects 5208.00 and 5208.01. Project 5208.01 aims at supporting Government efforts in increasing children's enrolment and retention in primary school, particularly in the rural areas. The project should contribute to improving and universalising basic education, and should reduce geographical and gender imbalances. The project will be implemented in rural communities responding to the following criteria: Low income areas with chronic food deficit where school enrolment ratio and gender imbalances are below regional averages.
  2. Activities/contents
    WFP food assistance to the educational sector will contribute to increasing enrolment and attendance rates in the poorest areas through the provision of food rations to 240,000 children (35% girls) in primary schools. In the secondary schools, 23,250 girls (including 17,650 staying in boarding schools and students in professional and technical centres) will receive 4,3 millions food rations. The project will assist 4,000 young children in pre-school and 4,000 orphans in nurseries who will receive 2,2 millions food ration. The total food commitment for the project is 11,583 metric tons which will directly benefit 271,250 children.
  3. Expected outcomes/impacts
    The project will improve the nutritional status of primary children and of girls attending courses in secondary schools and in professional and technical centres. The project will contribute to raising general enrolment and attendance in schools, and further motivate girls to enrol. It will guament pupils' capacity to learn, and will create an awareness among shoo personnel and local communities as regards the importance of educating girls and involving women in the project.
  4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
    The present project is in line with the agenda for action in areas of poverty alleviation, education, health and prerequisites for development. The project is in line with the government's educational strategy of free compulsory basic education for all children.

III.Contact Point:

WFP Africa Region Bureau (OSA) Fax: 0039-06-6513-2839
Mr. Mohamed Zejjari, Regional Director, OSA Tel: 0039-06-6513-2201
Mr. Tun Myat, Director RE Tel: 0039-06-6513-2009

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