Implementation of School Feeding Programme and Psychosocial Development of Children in Selected Primary Schools in Merti District, Kenya

ABSTRACT This study investigated implementation of school feeding programme and psychosocial development in children in primary schools in Merti district Kenya. The purpose of this study investigate the level of implementing the school feeding programme and its relationship with the level of psychosocial development of the children in primary schools in Merti District in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: i) to establish the level of implementing the school feeding programme in primary schools in Merti District in Kenya, ii) to determine the level of psychosocial development of the children in primary schools in Merti District in Kenya and iii) to assess the relationship between the level of implementing the school feeding programme and the level of psychosocial development of the children in primary schools in Merti District in Kenya. This study employed a descriptive correlational survey design, using quantitative approaches. The target population of this study included 168 respondents from 12 primary schools in Merti District in Kenya. The findings of the study showed that the school feeding programme was high, that the level of pupils’ development was high, and that there was a relationship between implementing of school feeding programme and psychosocial development in young children. The study concluded that the high level of implementing SEPs in primary schools in Merti District is compromised by negligible adequacy of the food served through the programmes. The government of Kenya should through the Ministry of Education and Merti District Education office ensure that the SEP supply adequate food for all children in primary schools.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT viii

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective 2

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective 4

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 4

1.2 Statement of the Problem 5

1.3 Purpose of the Study 7

1.4 Objectives of the Study 7

1.5 Research Questions 7

1.6 Hypotheses 8

1.7 Scope 8

1.7.1 Geographical scope 8

1.7.2 Content scope 8

1.7.3 Time scope 8

1.8 Significance of the Study 8

CHAPTER TWO 10

REVIEW OF LITERATURE 10

2.0 Introduction 10

V

2.1 Theoretical Review 10

2.2 Conceptual Framework 13

2.3 Related Literature 14

2.3.1 Implementation of School Feeding Programme 14

2.3.2 Children’s psychosocial Development 20

CHAPTER ThREE 32

METHODOLOGY 32

3.0 Introduction 32

3.1 Research Design 32

3.1 Research Population 32

3.2 Sample Size 32

3.4 Sampling Procedure 34

3.5 Research Instrument 34

3.6 Validity and Reliability of the instrument 35

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures 37

3.8 Data Analysis 38

3.9 Ethical Considerations 38

3.10 Limitations of the Study 39

CHAPTER FOUR 40

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTEPRETAIION 40

4.0 Introduction 40

4.1 Implementing the School Feeding Programme 40

4.2 Psychosocial development in children 44

4.3 The relationship between implementation of school feeding programme and

psychosocial development of pupils in lower primary school level, Merti district,

Kenya 46

CHAPTER FIVE 48

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48

vi

5.0 Introduction 48

5.1 Discussion 48

5.2 Conclusions 50

5.3 Recommendations 50

REFERENCES 52

APPENDICES 58

APPENDIX I 58

TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 58

APPENDIX II 59

CLEARANCE FROM ETHICS COMMITTEE 59

APPENDIX III 61

INFORMED CONSENT 61

APPENDIX IV 62

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT 62

APPENDIX IV B 63

Questionnaire to Determine the Level of School Feeding Programme 63

APPENDIX IV C 64

Observation Check list to determine the Level of Child Development 64

APPENDIX IV D 67