Project Gulayan sa Paaralan for Nutritional Status Improvement Scheme at Emmanuel Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Having a physically fit body is very vital in pupils' intellectual and physical development. One of the problems encountered in school is the high number of malnourished pupils which could be addressed by Gulayan sa Paaralan and strengthening the main source of commodities. This study aims to determine the improvement of the nutritional status level of the pupils as well as the perceived best practices of the full implementation of GPP in order to minimize the number of malnourished.

METHODS

This is descriptive qualitative research that aims to assess the improvement of the nutritional status of school children through the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project as well as its perceived best practices. The respondents of the study are the learners who are evaluated based on their body mass index in baseline and end line. The researchers used two data gathering procedures namely, survey method and retrospective interview. Also, the following data gathering tools namely; checklist, and retrospective interview guide were used to meet the goals of this study.

RESULTS

After the full implementation of Gulayan sa Paaralan as the support system of the feeding program, there was a remarkable change in the number of severely wasted and wasted pupils. Malnourished pupils turned out to be normal which shows a successful strategy in improving pupils' health. It shows that sustain production of vegetables and crops ranked first in the perceived best practices because GPP should be sufficient enough to improve the nutritional status level of the pupils. It is followed by encouraging internal and external stakeholders to participate in GPP activities that will be the partners of the school in achieving the goal of this program. On the other hand, integration of vegetable production and consumption in Science and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao ranked third. Nutrition must be given emphasis not only for physical condition but also it aids to develop their ability to think. The least on the best practices’ topic is, orient parents about the importance of GPP because the awareness on the nutrition of a child should start at home.

DISCUSSIONS

The result revealed that through sustaining and strengthening Gulayan sa Paaralan improvement in pupils' nutritional status could be achieved. Parents and teachers should also work hand in hand in developing children's mental and physical ability through proper nutrition. Learners must also encourage to do replication of vegetable garden at home.