School feeding programmes as a predictor for enrolment and attendance in lower primary schools

School feeding programmes (SFPs) are among the most widely adopted social protection instruments in education systems worldwide, reaching an estimated 466 million children through government-led schemes. This article synthesises evidence from fifteen peer-reviewed studies to examine the relationship between school feeding and four core education outcomes: enrolment, attendance, retention, and learning achievement. Using a secondary desktop review methodology, the article finds consistent evidence that SFPs raise enrolment and attendance, particularly among girls and in food- insecure settings, and more equivocal evidence regarding academic performance, which appears contingent on programme duration, meal quality, and complementary inputs such as teaching quality and infrastructure. Economic evaluations suggest school feeding generates substantial multi-sectoral returns, but sustainability depends on predictable financing, transparent procurement, and integration with broader education-sector planning. The article concludes that school feeding should be positioned as a core education investment rather than a stand-alone welfare measure, with monitoring systems that link meal delivery directly to learning indicators.