Effects of feeding programme on the enrolment of pre-school children in Kibera Slum, Nairobi County

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding programme on the enrolment of pre-school children in Kibera slums. The objectives of the study included assessment of the effects of type of food provided on the enrolment of pre-school children in Kibera slums; establishment of effects of the type of food provided on the health of pre-school children; assessment of the effects nutritional value of the food provided on the enrolment of pre-school children in Kibera slums and determining the amount of the food provided on the enrolment of preschool children in Kibera slums. The design for this study was survey where the population was the 20 pre-schools in Kibera slums, the 20 headteachers of preschools and 134 pre-school teachers in the slum. The study also targeted the 2 Educational Officers in charge of ECE in Kibera District. Fifteen pre-schools, the fifteen head teachers of ECDE and sixty pre-school teachers as well as the two pre-school educational officers in in the Kibera slums selected using stratified random sampling techniques. The use of questionnaires in this research was important in obtaining information from headteachers and teachers.

In order to test and hence improve validity of the questionnaire, the researcher first pre-tested in pilot study. For the pilot study 3 pre-school headteachers, 5 preschool teachers and I education officer in charge of ECDE were involved. To test reliability of the questionnaire, the researcher used the test - retest method. This was done by administering the instruments to the total respondents in the pilot study. Data collection begun after the proposal is finally accepted and approved by the department. The researcher obtained research permit from the National Council of Science and Technology at Utalii house through an introduction letter from the University of Nairobi and then sought clearance from the DEO Kibera slums. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data from which answers to the research questions were found. The quantitative data included measures of central tendency, frequency tables, percentages and pie charts that were used to present and summarize the information obtained while qualitative data include responses from open ended items which headteachers' and teachers' interviews were analyzed in narrative forms.

From the study, children who do not enroll to pre-school fail to do so for many reasons. These include the elements of feeding programme particularly on the type of food, nutritional value and the food amount direct costs of sending children to school, requirement for children to work, conflict and the perception of the value of education and of school quality. Headteachers should always ensure that there is an effective feeding programme for desirable enrolment rate in their schools. With this include ensuring that pre-school food have the right nutrients for better health of the children. Moreover, headteachers should provide the children with learning opportunities that will enhance the following: concentrations and identification of subject areas, perform advanced activities to link to standard one.