A section of school heads in Kotido have expressed fear of massive drop out of learners, following a move by World food program- WFP, to cut the school feeding ration by 20%.

WFP has been providing schools in Karamoja with maize, beans, cooking oil among others, from the 1980’s in a bid to encourage children to enroll in and complete school.

They have however, been gradually reducing their food rations to schools over the years with the most recent cut announced last month.

The head teacher Kotido army school Simon Peter Elanyu says the move might lead to massive drop out of learners since most children stay in school hoping to get food, adding that most parents cannot afford to make food contributions of up to 50,000 shillings that the school may need.

Elanyu says the WFP should reconsider their decision before it takes a toll on the leaners, adding that they will convene an AGM to engage parents on the issue and   forge a way forward.

Cue//…Elanyu eng

Meanwhile, Paul Okidi, the head teacher Lomukura primary school, says it is the food brought by WFP that has over the years attracted children especially from lower classes to school, adding that a reduction in the ratio will drive them away from school.

Cue//…Okidi eng

However, Susan Okello, the head teacher, Kotido mixed primary school says in order to mitigate the issue, there is need for parents to make the necessary food contributions to the school, in order to keep the school running.

Cue//…Okello eng

According to world food program, the move is a nutrition sensitive action aimed at ensuring food production in order for schools to sustain themselves.