Influence Of School Feeding Programme On Pupils’ Participation In Public Primary Schools In Baringo North, Baringo County – Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of school feeding programme on pupils’ participation in public primary school in Baringo North District. Four research objectives were formulated to guide the study. Research objective one sought to determine the extent to which the school feeding programme influences pupils’ school attendance in public primary school in Baringo North. Research objective two aimed at establishing the influence of school feeding programme on pupils’ enrolment in public primary schools in Baringo North. Research objective three aimed at determining whether the school feeding programme had any influence on pupils’ retention in public primary schools in Baringo north while research objective four sought to determine the role played by the school feeding programme on the KCPE performance of pupils in public primary schools in Baringo North district. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The sample comprised on the 20 headteachers, 74 teachers and 95 pupils. Data were collected by use of questionnaires and were analysed by use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed hat school feeding programme influenced pupils’ school attendance. Findings also revealed that school feeding programme influenced pupils’ enrolment school enrollment.. Findings also revealed that school feeding programme influenced on pupils’ retention. Findings further revealed that school feeding programme influenced pupils’ KCPE performance Based on the findings, it was concluded that school feeding programme had an influence on pupils’ school attendance. School food attracted pupils to join school. School feeding program had increased school attendance to a great extent. School feeding programme had a positive impact on pupils’ enrolment in the schools. The study also concluded that school feeding programme had an influence on pupils’ enrolment. The study also concluded that school feeding programme influenced pupils’ retention. For example, headteachers indicated that lunch provided to the pupils gave them energy to concentrate in their afternoon sessions. Teachers also indicated that pupils were active during learning in the afternoon sessions since they had taken lunch. Teachers reported that pupils were ready to attend both morning and afternoon sessions as most of the homes had one meal per day. Among the pupils respondents they indicated that without food they could not concentrate in class. School meals gave them energy and strength hence encouraged pupils to attend school to achieve their future dreams. Headteachers indicated that pupils drop out of school due to lack of food at home and with school feeding programme, had pupils retention increased. Headteacher indicated that school feeding programme had increased on pupils’ retention. The study also concluded that school feeding programme had an influence on pupils’ KCPE performance. The headteacher and teachers reported that meals assisted the pupils to improve their class performance. The headteacher further indicated that the school meal is there to solve the shortterm hunger and enable the learner to have full concentration in learning. The study recommended that there is need for the government to increase food rations to the schools so that more pupils could be enrolled in the schools. It was also recommended that school management committee should be involved in the schools feeding programme so that they can sensitize parents on the need to get involved in the programme to avoid any failure incase of funding. The study also recommended that as it has been established that school feeding programme had an effect on pupils participation, pupils retention, pupils enrollment and performance, this study recommends that the programme should be rolled out to other areas that are faced with pupil participation in schools. The study suggested that a study on the influence of parental participation in school food programme on its success should be conducted. A study on the effectiveness of government policy on school feeding programme be conducted and lastly a study on administrative constraints affecting the implementation of school feeding programme should be conducted.