Relationship Between School Feeding Programme and the Pupils’ Effectiveness in Learning in Public Primary Schools in Kitui County

Abstract

To participate effectively in the economic development of the country, hunger ought to be controlled. This can be done if feeding programme are introduced in schools. School Feeding Programme (SFP) was initiated in Kenya in 1979 with provision of milk packets to the pupils and it was fully implemented in 1980 by the government of Kenya with collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP), though it has not led to desired outcome in many parts of the country. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between SFPs and the pupils’ retention in public primary schools in Kitui County. The study intended to assess retention as one of the indicators of effectiveness in learning. The study used Classical Liberal Theory of equal opportunity and Maslow’s theory of Human motivation. The researcher used survey research design. The target population was 374 primary schools under feeding programme in Kitui County. The sample size was 112 schools which are 30% of the target population. These schools were sampled randomly. The researcher also randomly sampled five percent (19) class seven teachers of the target population which made a total of 131 respondents. The research instruments used by the researcher were the questionnaires for head teachers and the interviews for class seven teachers’ representatives. To test validity of the research instruments, the researcher did piloting in two schools (10%) of the sample target 19 class seven teachers. The researcher also discussed the instruments with her supervisors who are experts in her area of study and was advised accordingly. Reliability of the research instruments was calculated using test-retest method. Quantitatively collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson r with the help of SPSS software while qualitatively collected data was analyzed using Focus by Question Analyses Strategy. Analyzed results were presented using tables, graphs and pie-charts. The findings of the study may help the administrators and policy makers to lay down their strategies successfully. Results show that there was a significant relationship between school feeding program and pupils’ retention, school feeding program and pupils’ transition, Findings from the interviews further confirmed that there was unwavering agreement among class seven teachers’ representatives that school feeding program was positively associated with effectiveness in learning. The study concludes that school feeding program has significant influence on effectiveness in learning among primary school learners, hence the two hypotheses were therefore, rejected. The study recommends the county government to liaise with parents and guardians of primary school pupils in order to expand the school feeding program to include breakfast and supper so that more learners can be retained in school and their transition from a class to another enhanced. These findings will be beneficial to the Ministry of Education, parents as well as the administrators of the primary schools across the country.