Why school enrollment rate is up in Yei

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Why school enrollment rate is up in Yei
Daniel Friday | September 18, 2017 | 1:09 pm
Schoolchildren march during a past function in Yei | Photo | The Niles

Enrollment of pupils and students has increased in Yei town due to
introduction of a school feeding program, the Minister of Education in
Yei River has said.

The program was initiated by the World Food Program and Plan
International and in collaboration with the state government recently.

It is aimed at encouraging parents struggling to feed their children
to send them to school and reduce the rate of school dropout.

‘Hitting two birds with one stone’

“Now that WFP and the Government brought this program in place, it is
really helping so much – even parents because who cannot provide food
at home have sent their children to school,” Lona Sadia told Eye
Radio.

“We are hitting two birds using one stone because these children eat
food, learn and their immune system is good and healthy.”

Miss Sadia attributed the hunger situation to insecurity, which she
says, has interrupted farming in the area and most parents are thus
unable to feed their children.

Due to the increase in number of learners, Minister Sadia Lona urges
WFP to supply more food to the school.

Over ten thousand learners are reportedly benefiting from the school
feeding program.