Enhancement of Parents' Involvement in the Effective Implementation of the School-Based Feeding Program at Banaybanay 1 Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

As stated in Department of Education Order no. 51, series of 2016, a school-based feeding program aims to address short-term hunger of under-nourished public-school children. Parents of the recipients on the other hand, are indifferent about it. Parents did not participate in meetings and daily duties making it more difficult for the teacher. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the status of parents' involvement in the feeding program and to enhance their participation in the said program.

METHODS

The researcher used two (2) data gathering procedures namely: (1) focused group discussion and (2) the survey method. The scope of this research only focused on fifteen (15) parents/guardians. This research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to interpret the data and analyze the results. These analysis and interpretation methods included data analysis tools that made used of frequency, percentage and ranking.

RESULTS

Results showed that most of the parents did not participate in the school-based feeding program from September 2016 to March 2017. It was also noted that lack of knowledge about the program was their main reason for not attending to their duties. Work, family and distance from school as well as the lack of cooking skills were also noted as factors that contributed to their refusal to participate. It was also revealed that rewards could enhance their participation. These rewards include recipe, cooking manuals, certificate and apron. Given the proper orientation, respondents mentioned that they were most likely to participate.

DISCUSSIONS

After the conduct of the research, a specific action plan was proposed that focused on enhancing parents' involvement in the effective implementation of the school-based feeding program. The plan covered orientation on the SBFP, training in time management, cooking training and daily equal distribution of stale food. It is recommended that the activities in the action plan be pilot-tested, used and revised for the enhancement of parents' participation on school-based feeding program.