2015年-世界发展银行全球_Namibia_School_Feeding___SABER_Country_Report_2015_21页_972kb

Summary of Namibia's School Feeding Programme

Core Content

The document presents an analysis of the Namibian School Feeding Programme (NSFP) through the lens of the SABER (Systems Approach for Better Education Results) initiative. It outlines the current status of school feeding policies and institutions in Namibia, emphasizing the need for a more robust and sustainable framework.

Main Policy Goals

The NSFP is recognized as a vital component of Namibia's education and social protection strategies. The five core policy goals that form the basis of an effective school feeding program are:

1. Policy Frameworks
2. Financial Capacity
3. Institutional Capacity and Coordination
4. Sound Design and Implementation
5. Community Roles - Reaching Beyond Schools

Key Findings

1. Policy Frameworks (Emerging)

• Status: Emerging
• Overview: While school feeding is mentioned in several national strategy documents, a standalone national school feeding policy does not exist.
• Key Points:
  • NSFP is included in seven national strategy documents, including the Fourth Development Plan (NDP4), Education and Training Sector Improvement Plan (ETSIP), and the National Policy on HIV/AIDS for the Education Sector.
  • The NSFP is listed in the NSFP 5-year Road Map as a milestone and action item.
  • The Ministry of Education (MOE) is working with the World Food Programme (WFP) to develop a national policy for school feeding.
  • Current policy frameworks are not comprehensive enough to fully address the program's needs and objectives.

2. Financial Capacity (Emerging)

• Status: Emerging
• Overview: The NSFP is funded primarily by the central government, with a strong reliance on community contributions.
• Key Points:
  • The NSFP budget is part of the national education budget under "Other Services" (item 027).
  • The government covers over 80% of the financial needs, while the remaining is met through in-kind and cash contributions from communities.
  • The current budget is heavily focused on food procurement (98%), with very little allocated for non-food items or infrastructure.
  • There is no dedicated budget line at the regional or school levels, and the disbursement of funds is not timely.

3. Institutional Capacity and Coordination (Emerging)

• Status: Emerging
• Overview: The MOE has the mandate to manage and implement NSFP, but lacks a dedicated steering committee and sufficient staff.
• Key Points:
  • The NSFP is managed by the Directorate of Programmes and Quality Assurance (PQA) under the MOE, specifically through the NSFP unit within the Management Planning Appraisal and Training (MPAT) division.
  • The NSFP unit is heavily focused on food procurement and lacks adequate capacity for monitoring and strategic activities.
  • There are formal coordination mechanisms, but they are not well-implemented or communicated across levels.
  • At the school level, school boards are involved in management, but there is a lack of support and resources.

4. Sound Design and Implementation (Established)

• Status: Established
• Overview: NSFP has a well-defined design and implementation framework.
• Key Points:
  • A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan and a web-based information system were developed in 2013 with WFP.
  • National standards for food distribution and the food basket are in place for all NSFP benefiting schools.
  • The NSFP Reference Manual outlines beneficiary targeting criteria and operational standards aligned with the program's objectives and country needs.

5. Community Roles - Reaching Beyond Schools (Emerging)

• Status: Emerging
• Overview: Community involvement is encouraged, but there is a lack of incentives leading to low participation.
• Key Points:
  • Each school has a functioning school board that includes parents, teachers, and community members.
  • The NSFP Reference Manual defines community roles and responsibilities.
  • However, many communities feel the program relies too heavily on their contributions without adequate incentives, which may hinder participation and sustainability.

Context and Importance

• Economic Context: Namibia is an upper-middle-income country with significant income inequality and structural poverty. About a third of the population is still considered poor, and 24% of children are stunted, with 8% severely stunted.
• Education Context: Education is a top priority, with 22.4% of the national budget allocated to it in 2012/13. Primary education is free and compulsory, and the net enrolment rate is high (99.8%), but promotion rates are low (82% for primary, 69% for secondary).
• Health Context: Health is also a key priority, with challenges in access to clean water and sanitation, and high prevalence of communicable diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Non-communicable diseases are on the rise, and maternal and infant mortality rates have not improved significantly since 2000.
• NSFP Overview: NSFP provides a daily mid-morning meal of fortified maize meal to approximately 320,000 pre-primary and primary school children in vulnerable areas. It has grown into a key strategy for increasing educational opportunities, attendance, and retention.

Conclusion

The NSFP is an important initiative for improving nutrition and education outcomes in Namibia. However, the program faces several challenges, including the absence of a national policy, limited financial resources, and insufficient institutional capacity. Strengthening these areas is crucial for the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the program. The SABER initiative highlights the need for a more integrated and evidence-based approach to school feeding, emphasizing the importance of financial independence, institutional coordination, and community engagement.