Influence of School-Based Feeding Program on Pupils Participation at Lumbangan Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

School-based feeding programs are common in both developing and industrialized countries. The objective of school feeding programs is to provide meals or snacks to reduce short-term hunger in the classroom so that students can concentrate and learn better, and to attract children to school and have them attend regularly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a school-based feeding program on pupils' attendance and participation in Lumbangan Elementary School.

METHODS

A descriptive survey design was used. The target population for the study included all 33 beneficiaries for S.Y 2017-2018, 7 teachers, and 1 school head. The research instrument was questionnaires. It was used to collect data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

RESULTS

The study established that school-based feeding programs influenced the enrollment of pupils in Lumbangan Elementary School. The study also established that the school-based feeding program influenced the attendance of pupils. The study established that the school-based feeding program enhanced the participation of the pupils in class as their participation was described as lively. It also influenced the dropout rate of pupils as hunger was one reason for dropout.

DISCUSSIONS

The results concluded the school-based feeding program influenced the enrollment of the pupils, their attendance, their participation, and the unlikelihood of their dropping out. The study could, therefore, become a basis for further research on the area of pupils' participation inenhancing curriculum implementation. School communities can also find strategies they could undertake to ensure more students benefit from basic education programs hence empowering local communities to come out of the cycle of poverty.