Sustainability of school canteens in primary schools in Benin

The Beninese government has recently undertaken several initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the National Integrated School Feeding Programme (PNASI). Against the backdrop of the operationalisation of the national school feeding programme, this research focused on analysing the sustainability of school feeding programmes in public primary schools in the Atacora department of Benin. Using a mixed approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods and rational choice techniques, the results obtained validated the research hypotheses. These results highlight that the sustainability of school feeding programmes in the Atacora department of Benin depends on increased mobilisation of local resources, greater involvement of local authorities and integration of community dynamics. Furthermore, implementation methods, such as the use of local products and community management, appear to be essential levers, despite the persistent challenges they face.

Autorentext
Aïtchéou Adolphe DJAGBA, sociologist and development project manager, is an international consultant on issues including the promotion of primary, technical and vocational education in Benin and across Africa.