An Analysis of the Enabling Policy Framework for School Feeding Scheme

by Open Science Repository Public Administration
(November 2013)

Abstract


The School Feeding Scheme was originally introduced as the Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP), which is now known as the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The PSNP was introduced by President Mandela at the opening of the first democratic parliament of South Africa, in May 1994, as one of the Presidential Lead Projects to be implemented country-wide in all primary schools. It also formed part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The programme received an allocation of R487 million from the RDP Fund in the 1994/95 financial year and R500 million in subsequent years. The aims of the PSNP were to improve learners’ learning capacity, alleviate poverty and empower women.

South African indices of poverty show that Africans and females in particular are consistently the lowest for all bands of households’ expenditure (Statistics South Africa: 2000). According to the 2002 Food and Agriculture Organisation report of the State of Food Insecurity in the world, the three most critical deficiencies for South Africa are for vitamin A, iodine and iron. Lack of vitamin A is reported to impair the immune system, while iodine reduces mental capacity and iron leads to fatigue and dizziness.

Keywords: school feeding scheme, policy framework, Constitution of South Africa and poverty.

Full text


An Analysis of the Enabling Policy Framework for School Feeding Scheme

Click here to read or post comments

Return to journal abstracts.