The Impact of Local Government Unit-Based Feeding Program on the Public School Elementary Learners' Attendance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Attendance is very important for all the learners because if they attend the class consistently they can perform well in class. This can affect the academic performance of the learners. It is hard for the teachers to help their students if the students are frequently absent. Based on the findings of the Department of Education (Department of Education), the main reason of their absences is poverty. They lack access to basic needs such as food. In response, the local government in one of the public elementary schools in Southern Luzon, Philippines conducts a feeding program to help the indigent learners in their community.

METHODS

In the conduct of this study, the researcher made a document analysis and conducted interviews to determine the effects of the feeding program in addressing the problem of the identified forty (40) learners from different grade levels on their frequent absence from the class.

RESULTS

Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concludes that 36 out of 40 or 90% of indigent learners go to school regularly because of the feeding program. In effect, they attend their classes and they perform better in their lessons. This was evident since the feeding program of the Local Government Unit started in June and ends on the last day of the school year. In addition, the teachers attested that after 5 months, 90% of the learners come to school and continuously improve their academic performance.

DISCUSSIONS

The study shows that feeding program can lessen the absences of the learners. It shows the effectiveness of the program to help the learners come to school. It is to affirm that internal and external stakeholders can work together to ensure quality education among the learners.