Abstract
This publication provides an analysis of the state of school feeding worldwide before the COVID-19 pandemic, and an assessment of the impact of the pandemic and its implications for the future. It seeks to identify some of the key obstacles and their solutions.
Generated Summary
This document is a report by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that provides an analysis of the State of School Feeding Worldwide in 2020. The report examines the scale, coverage, and trends of school feeding programmes globally, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schoolchildren and the efforts to mitigate the crisis. The report reviews the current status of school feeding programmes, their implementation practices, costs, and the partnerships involved. It also emphasizes the need to address the health and nutritional needs of schoolchildren through integrated programmes and highlights the importance of school feeding as a social safety net, especially in times of crisis. The methodology is based on data from various sources, including the GCNF Global Survey of School Meal Programs and WFP’s annual country reports. The report aims to inform and support governments in enhancing national strategies and programmes to promote global learning and food security. The scope of the report includes an examination of the main drivers of change in school feeding policies, including a recognition of the need to support children throughout their development, the value of human capital, and the emphasis on sustainable food systems. The analysis highlights the role of school feeding in humanitarian settings and its contributions to improving the prospects for peace and social cohesion. It provides insights into the implementation of school feeding programmes, partnership and coordination at different levels, and the global and strategic role of WFP in school health and nutrition. The report also includes case studies from various countries that demonstrate the benefits of school feeding programmes.
Key Findings & Statistics
- At the beginning of 2020, national school feeding programmes delivered school meals to more children than at any time in human history, with approximately 388 million children receiving school meals daily in at least 161 countries.
- Between 2013 and 2020, the number of children receiving school meals grew by 9 percent globally, with a 36 percent growth in low-income countries.
- More than 90 percent of the cost of school feeding programmes comes from domestic funds.
- The global annual investment in school feeding is estimated to be between US$41 billion and US$43 billion.
- School feeding programmes created 3.1 million direct jobs in 48 countries, or 1,668 jobs for every 100,000 children receiving school meals.
- Coverage of school feeding programmes in low-income countries increased from 13 percent in 2013 to 20 percent in 2020.
- In low-income countries, the share of domestic funding for school feeding increased from 17 percent to 28 percent between 2013 and 2020.
- 73 million of the most vulnerable children were still to be reached.
- At the height of the crisis in April 2020, 199 countries had closed their schools and 370 million children were suddenly deprived of their main meal of the day.
Other Important Findings
- School feeding is the largest and most widespread social safety net in the world, benefiting 388 million children globally.
- Effective school feeding programmes improve both access to schools and learning.
- The report highlights the importance of school feeding as a social safety net, which protected the well-being of the most vulnerable children and supported their future.
- The report also identifies the need to expand the concept of education to address the health and well-being of children, and to build back equitable, quality school-based health and nutrition services in every school for every schoolchild.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) is strengthening its strategic role in school health and nutrition globally.
- Home-grown school feeding programmes have proven their worth in middle-income countries, creating jobs and sustainable markets.
- The African Union is a key partner in supporting the scale-up of nationally owned school health and school feeding programmes.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The report’s data on school feeding relied on both primary and secondary sources, which used different methodologies.
- The quality and quantity of indicators provided by each source varied.
- The report acknowledges that the reference years of the data varied, affecting the recency of the data.
- Estimates for 39 countries, due to a lack of data on coverage for the remaining age groups, are under-estimated.
- Data for high-income countries are not shown here due to the difficulty in obtaining data.
- The study notes that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school feeding programmes and the measures taken to mitigate the effects of school closures, are still under evaluation and there has not been sufficient time to assess the effectiveness of the responses.
Conclusion
The State of School Feeding Worldwide 2020 provides a comprehensive overview of the school feeding landscape, emphasizing the critical role of school feeding programmes in enhancing child health, learning, and overall development. The report underscores the importance of these programmes as a vital social safety net, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis reveals the significant growth in school feeding programmes over the past decade, driven by the increased commitment of governments and development partners. The report emphasizes the need for the world to prioritize safely reopening schools, including restoring access to school meals. Moreover, the authors highlight the importance of sustainable and inclusive approaches, such as home-grown school feeding programmes, that provide not only nutritional benefits but also promote local economies and social cohesion. The authors underscore the need to recognize and address the challenges, including inequity, in accessing school feeding programmes, with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable children. Key takeaways from the report indicate that school feeding programmes have a positive impact on education and learning, whilst also being cost-effective investments. This is particularly true for girls, as school feeding interventions are helping in increasing their enrolment and improving learning outcomes. In addition, the programmes contribute to the strengthening of communities. The success of school feeding is attributed to the fact that it is increasingly embedded in national frameworks, which is essential for their continuation. In conclusion, the report highlights that, to build back better in a post-COVID-19 world, school feeding programmes must be a priority investment. This requires the joint efforts of governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to create a new generation of school feeding programmes that are more cost-efficient, environmentally sensitive, and inclusive, ensuring that every child has access to the benefits of education, health, and nutrition.