Effect of Gulayan sa Paaralan Program in Reducing Malnutrition among Pupils in Molino Elementary School for SY 2018-2019

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) is an initiative of the Department of Education which aims to promote love for labor, laboratory of learning and most importantly boost the awareness of the youth on the importance of health and nutrition. In our program in Molino Elementary School, the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and school canteen have been associated with the prior program that is mentioned. Together, GPP and SBFP combined to support vegetable production and consumption among school children, provide food that is nutritious, and to address malnutrition.

METHODS

Children lacking proper nutrients have less energy, both physical and mental and because of that, they are not able to fully participate in class. With these programs, we created a partnership between our internal and external stakeholders to realize our vision" both stakeholders invested their effort in this program. Crops and Products from the school garden are utilized to sustain the school's feeding program and also used as an ingredient in the school canteen.

RESULTS

When the SBFP started in August 2018, a total of 79 underweight pupils was recorded from Kinder to Grade V. Each week of the month, from August to January, students are being nourished with food utilizing vegetables from the school garden. As a result of this program, out of 79 pupils, 65 of which is now considered as Normal based on the End line of Nutritional Status conducted by their advisers.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the result of the nutritional status, it manifest that the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program played a huge part in sustaining the School-Based Feeding Program. Aside from being a lower cost alternative, Gulayan provides the right nutrition for the pupils that needed it most.