Free School Feeding Programmes And Pupil Academic Performance In Selected Primary Schools In Kakuzi Division Ithanga village, Ithanga Zone Of Thika East District- Kenya

ABSTRACT

The study was mainly to examine how free food provision at school impacts

on the academic performance of pupils in KAKUZI division of Thika East

district. The study was intended to answer the following research questions:

How is the accessibility of free food by the pupils? How does free school

feeding affect pupils' attendance at school? And how does class attendance

affect pupil performance in class? The methods used questionnaires,

interviews, observation and review of literature to collect data for the study.

In some instances, more than one data collection method was applied on a

single category of respondents to ensure reliability and validity of the

findings.

The findings of the study indicated that: Pupils hare provided with food

provide in form of Break-time porridge, Lunch time Ugali and beans. This is

for every pupil at school who lines up to be served; Some pupils however,

bring own packed meals due to dietary requirements and medical advice or

from preferences; the PTA in most schools set aside a small budget to

purchase sugar to add to the porridge to give it taste; some pupils are given

money to buy food or edibles from canteens.; and that Most school meals

lacked nutrition supplements besides the common carbohydrates, protein

and Fat. Because of monotony of the standard issue of meals in form of

porridge, Ugali and beans, many pupils escape to canteens or trading centre

shops to buy edibles. Balanced diet is the basis for good nutrition which is

also basis for full growth and development. The study therefore,

recommends that, schools should have farms where they involve in food and

agro production to add to variety of dishes served. This will enable pupils

have a source of balanced diet.

The study concludes that: Provision of food is not a sole responsibility of the school but of the community as well and parents. The idea should be that availability of food security that assures a meal for every child regularly. Meals at school are just a continuation to that provided at home. Providing food at school is a continuous provision of nutrition that enables a child's body grow and develop fully.