Canteen Management and Operation at Santiago National High School in Malvar, Batangas: Basis for a Proposed Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

As part of the school environment, a canteen is in a unique position to make a positive contribution to students' health and welfare. Like any business, a canteen requires good management to be efficient and successful. The school setting is a crucial part of the social environment that shapes the students as a whole. This includes their eating behavior, especially those children's food preferences which are learned through repeated exposure. The study was conducted to assess the canteen management and operation in Santiago National High School during the school year 2016-2017 as perceived by the students, teachers, and canteen administration.

METHODS

This study was centered on the assessment of the canteen in five components. The respondents consisted of three groups -students, faculty and canteen staff. The researcher used the descriptive method and gathered information through the use of a survey questionnaire as an instrument. Respondents were given more time to provide their answers freely and independently.

RESULTS

The data revealed that there was no difference in the ratings for different components or area of evaluations but does differ significantly when students-respondents are grouped into age groups. It can be gleaned from the data that there is significant relationship between the female ratings and male ratings in all areas or components for evaluation where female students have significantly higher ratings for management of activities while quality has no significant relationship between the male and females ratings in two areas or components of assessment such as kinds of services rendered and utilization of facilities. Ratings for different canteen components does differ significantly when teacher respondents are grouped into age groups. When grouped into the gender of the teachers-respondents, the ratings for different canteen components do differ significantly.

DISCUSSIONS

The management of the school canteen looks into the possibility of studying the reasons why prices of commodities have the lowest rank, making them act on the matter. They can improve the kinds of services they offer with a suggestion box while the results can be forwarded to the school administrators for possible action on the improvement of the canteen services. In addition, the same study can be conducted in other areas of services like the library and other areas in school. The researcher looks forward to implementing the proposed plan of action to resolve issues in the canteen management and operation.