The Impact Of School Feeding Programme On Performance Of Pre-school Children In Kikuyu District – Central Province

Abstract

This research study sought to determine the impact of the School Feeding Programme (SFP) on performance of pre-school children. The study also sought to discover the nature of SFPin Kikuyu District, establish its effects on attendance, enrolment and performance of pre-schoolers in the district and explore the challenges affecting the head teachers in its implementation. The target population of this study was 56 public schools in Kikuyu District from which a sample of 34 public schools which had pre-schools were selected. A survey research design was used to carry out the study. The study used primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected using questionnaires, observation, checklists,performance tests and interview guides. Secondary data consisted of report forms of pre-schoolers. Questionnaires included structured and unstructured questions and were administered through drop-and-pick method to the head teachers. Observation checklists were used to help the researcher establish the conditions of the meals offered, as well as the facilities and equipment used to facilitate the programme. A schedule was used to interview parents and cooks. Report forms of pre-schoolers for the last three school examinations were collected to help compare the performance of those in SFP with those outside the programme. Data collected was organised according to the population studied and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse it, using descriptive statistics. The study found that school meals are a good way to channel vital nourishment to the children which in turn helps promote the children’s performance. This was realised as good performance was reflected in schools with the feeding programme, compared to schools without it. The study also concluded that the programme improved the attendance and enrolment of pre-schoolers.The study recommends that all pre-schools implement a feeding programme to enhance expected performance.