Effect of School Feeding Programme on Pupils’ Participation in Public Pre- Schools in Mwingi Central Sub-county, Kitui County, Kenya.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the effect of school feeding program on pupils’ participation in public preschool in Mwingi Central Sub-county, Kitui County, Kenya. This was achieved through the following objectives: to determine the relationship between the amount of food served on pupils’ attendance in public pre- schools in Mwingi central sub-county; to establish the effect of quality of food on pupils’ enrolment in public pre- schools in Mwingi central sub-county; Tto establish the relationship between meals frequency and pupils’ absenteeism in public pre- schools in Mwingi central sub-county; and to determine the relationship between pupil’s perception of school feeding programme and their attendance in public pre- schools in Mwingi central sub-county. This study adopted a descriptive research design to formulate a problem for more clear investigation as well as discovery of ideas and thoughts. The population of the study comprised 14 principles and pre-school teachers in all the 14 public school in Mwingi central sub-county as well as one sub-county director of education. The data collected was collected through self-administered questionnaires and was analyzed. The research findings indicated that the amount of food offered in primary schools significantly influenced the enrollment of pre-school children. The schools which give more food had more children than those with little or no food. The study found out that the quality of food provided in school’s influences enrollment of pre-school children. The schools with good quality of food attracted pre-school children more than those without. The study also found that the food frequency influences enrollment of pre-school children to a great extent. The schools which provide meals for more days in a week ended up having more pupils. The study finally concluded that the children were not most very satisfied with the meals in their schools. The study recommends that the government should increase the provision of food to schools. This would improve the enrolment of pre-schools. The primary school administration should encourage parents to continue supporting school feeding programme. This is by providing enough food. The schools should increase the amount of food provided to children as well as the quality of food provided. Further research suggests that the influence of the parents social economic status on enrolment of pre-school children. Home based factors influences enrolment of pre-school children and the impact of school administration in the provision of food for early childhood education.