Influence of School Feeding Program on Enrollment of Pupils in Primary Schools in Kaliro District

Kigwana Harriet and Dr. Twalibu J. Nzanzu
School of Graduate Studies and Research, Team University
Email: harrietkigwana2022@gmail.com

Abstract: The study assessed the effectiveness of school feeding programs on enrollment of pupils in primary schools in Kaliro District. The descriptive design was used to determine scores for individual items in the school feeding program, while the correlational design was used to determine the relationship between the school feeding program and enrollment, retention, and cognitive ability acquisition. Questionnaires were used to obtain data from 93 respondents including teachers, pupils and headteachers. The researcher entered quantitative data into a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) spreadsheet, transformed it into frequencies and percentages, and then present it in summary tables to show scores for individual items. Items for feeding programs and the three dependent variables were rated using mean on the 5-point Linkert scale. The school feeding programme has some favourable effects on the number of pupils enrolled in public primary schools. Effective enrollment is measured in terms of improved regular school performance, decreasing early departure from school, stimulating parents’ desire to send their children to school due to the positive environment, inspiring pupils to follow programmes geared towards schooling, and reducing child labour as well as classroom attendance. Additionally, the school feeding programme has been found to enhance pupils’ overall health and nutrition, leading to improved cognitive abilities and concentration in the classroom. Moreover, by providing nutritious meals to pupils, the programme helps address food insecurity and ensures equal access to education for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background