On April 24, 2024, a delegation from the General Coordination of the Government Social Program (Psgouv) and the Directorate of School Canteens of Côte d'Ivoire (DCS) embarked on a visit to the EPP Katanra school canteen located in Boundiali, Côte d'Ivoire. This targeted visit aimed to assess the canteen's operations and explore avenues for qualitative improvement to benefit the 165 students who rely on it for daily meals.
Ensuring Balanced Meals and Sustainability
Soumahoro Moriba, the regional coordinator of school canteens at the Regional Directorate of National Education and Literacy (DRENA) of Boundiali, highlighted the crucial role the Katanra canteen plays in ensuring students have access to balanced meals at midday. He emphasized the use of improved stoves for cooking, contributing to a healthier and more efficient meal preparation process.
The visit also shed light on the significant support provided by the village women's cooperative, a key factor in the canteen's successful full-time operation. However, challenges were identified that could further enhance the canteen's sustainability.
Addressing Challenges for Long-Term Success
The farm supplying the canteen currently lacks a fence to protect crops from animals and a water point to ease the workload of the cooperative members. Addressing these needs would significantly improve the farm's efficiency and food production capacity.
Mr. Moriba revealed that the cooperative has already provided the canteen with an impressive three tonnes of food, showcasing their dedication to the initiative's success.
Regional Progress and Positive Impact
Looking beyond the Katanra canteen, Mr. Moriba provided a broader perspective on the state of school canteens within the Bagoué region. Out of 258 public primary schools, 165 have operational canteens, representing a commendable 55% coverage rate. This translates to providing meals for 27,204 students out of a total of 47,886 students in the region.
Improved School Performance and Increased Attendance
The positive impact of the Katanra canteen was further emphasized by the school director, Hacandi Kacou Ismaël. He credited the canteen with contributing to a significant rise in the school's success rate, which currently sits at a remarkable 80%. Mr. Ismaël pointed out that this figure has shown a dramatic improvement compared to a decade ago.
The increased attendance rate directly linked to the availability of the canteen further underscores its positive influence on student engagement in their studies.
Community Collaboration and Cooperative Support
Fofana Méïta, the general secretary of the village cooperative, expressed her pride in their involvement with the Katanra canteen since 2011. She explained that their cooperative manages a three-hectare plot dedicated to growing rice and vegetables to directly supply the canteen.
Ms. Méïta highlighted their request for additional agricultural equipment and means of transportation to further enhance their operational efficiency and contribute more effectively to the canteen's success.
Student Voices: Healthier and More Focused Learning
Koné Ziémogo Drissa, a student in the CM2 class at EPP Katanra, shared his perspective on the benefits of the canteen. He emphasized that eating at the canteen allows him to maintain good health and avoid delays in returning to class after lunch breaks.
Maré Oriane, another CM2 student, echoed Drissa's sentiments, adding that the canteen helps students stay focused during lessons by ensuring they are not distracted by hunger.
Building a Sustainable Future for School Canteens
The warm welcome extended by the local population, led by village chief Balo Nabalabié, to the Psgouv and DCS delegation underscored the community's strong support for the school canteen initiative.
The delegation's visit signifies a commitment to strengthening the sustainability of school canteens across Côte d'Ivoire. This collaborative effort involving the government, the World Food Program (WFP), and dedicated village cooperatives like the one in Katanra holds immense promise for the future of education in the country. By ensuring students have access to nutritious meals, these programs can contribute significantly to improved.