Bawdie (W/R), August 5, GNA - Madam Doris Oduro, Wassa Amenfi East District Chief Executive (DCE) at the weekend launched the district's school feeding programme at Bawdie with a call on stakeholders to support the efforts to eliminate hunger and poverty since they are "enemies" to child development and academic progress.

She said pupils and students could excel only when they are well fed and properly catered for by parents and the Government. The Bawdie Methodist kindergarten and primary school were selected for the start of the pilot project.

District Assembly primary schools at Afransie, Nsuem, Oppong-Valley and Wassa-Akropong would be the next to join the programme in September, under which pupils would enjoy a free meal a day.

"Hunger makes the child weak, inattentive and loses concentration during classes and this contributes to low performance at examinations to adversely affect their future".

The DCE emphasised that quality education is the key that "opens the door to development", adding that government was leaving no stone unturned to ensure quality education for all.

Madam Oduro called for support from stakeholders, particularly parents and heads of schools towards the successful and efficient implementation of educational programmes and policies of the government. She had earlier inaugurated a nine-member school feeding implementation committee with Mr Kisiedu Aboagye, an educationist, as chairman.

Madam Oduro charged members of the committee to exhibit high sense of honesty, dedication and commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the programme in the district.

She warned against malpractices such as inflating prices of food items and diversion and said those caught indulging in such acts would not be spared.

Ms Hager Ackah, headmistress of Bawdie Methodist School said enrolment had increased considerably as the result of the government's capitation grant.

In all about 600 pupils would be fed once every day.