Food Aid in the Form of Food for Education - A Critical Analysis between
the Food for Schooling Programme and the School Feeding Programme in
Maslow's and Dependency Theorist's Perspectives
Abstract
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, food is considered a
basic physiological need and higher-ordered needs can only be achieved
if the basic needs are met. In the education context, for learners to
concentrate on learning and for educational institutions to achieve
high-quality learning, learners’ physiological needs i.e. food and water
must be met before delivering teaching and learning activities.
Therefore, different countries introduced ‘Food for Education’ in a form
of ‘School Feeding Programme’ and ‘Food For schooling Programme’ to
achieve quality education and to redistribute food to poor families.
While both programmes might have advantages, this essay argues that a
‘School Feeding Programme’, that practises ‘Onsite Feeding’ can achieve
Sustainable Development Goal 4, i.e. quality equitable life long
learning for all learners. Conversely, a ‘Food for School Programme’ can
increase enrolment of both boys and girls, however, it might fail to
achieve quality learning and, furthermore, can develop a dependency
mentality. Moreover, food delivered as aid is often used to pursue
donors’ interests so recipient countries should be monitored, to ensure
such aid is carefully directed to priority areas to achieve maximum
benefit. Failure can result in recipient countries facing unintended
consequences. This essay concludes that the School Feeding Programme
should be used for achieving quality learning and to avoid unintended
consequences and break the cycle of poverty faced by the
underprivileged.