| dc.description.abstract | The study discusses the historical development of the School Feeding Program, its impact on education and the challenges it faced in Kenya between 1966 and 2009. Historical method of study was used. The study is based on an analysis of both primary and secondary data. The study is a contribution to the intervention measures undertaken by the Government of Kenya to realize universal primary education in this country.
The study begins by discussing the history of school feeding program worldwide, in Africa and then in Kenya. The first SFP was launched in Kenya in 1966 under the stewardship of the National School Feeding Council. This first SFP was started in Central Province and some parts of Nairobi were participating by 1967. The SFP expanded between 1970 and 1978 to serve children in the arid regions according to the two National Development plans ending in 1978. In 1979, there was the Milk scheme and it had a positive impact on education. The enrolment and attendance improved significantly. The WFP school feeding was implemented in 1980 and it was active until 2009. In July 2009, the Government started the Home-grown School feeding programme.
The impact of the School Feeding Programme in Kenya was found to be positive on education. The SFP impacted positively on education in Kenya during the study period. The enrolment increased significantly in the participating schools. The attendance trends also improved in the participating schools while the drop- out rates went down from 33% in 1966 to 13% in 2009. The performance of children in the National Examinations was another impact of the SFP on education. The performance trends indicated a positive impact on schools participating in the SFP during the study.
The study further discussed the role played the SFP on attention and participation of children in class. The study found out that attention and participation were in resonance with good health and attendance to school. The children in schools participating in SFP were attentive in class and were active during the learning process.
The study finally documented the challenges that faced the SFP between 1966 and 2009. The challenges had impact on the full realization of the goals of the SFP. These challenges included; funding challenges, poor and inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, HIV/AIDs orphans and poor climate. The poor climate brought the challenge of water scarcity and poverty in general.
The study concludes that the SFP made significant impact on education in the country during the study period. Despite the challenges, the SFP had a positive impact on education between 1966 and 2009. | en_US |
