ISSN 2360-7963
https://springjournals.net/global/articles/Bampoj
Abstract: This study utilized the qualitative research design to explore the influence of the School Feeding Programme (SFP) on learners’ enrollment, attendance and academic performance in Basic Schools in Komenda,Edina Eguafo Abrem(KEEA) Municipality. The research sought to address the objectives which include; to examine the influence of school feeding programme on improving enrolment, attendance and retention of Basic school learners in Komenda, Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality; to exploring the influence of school feeding programme on the academic performances of Basic School learners in Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality and to examining challenges encountered by the school feeding programme in the Komenda, Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality. The study used Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to explore between hunger and educational outcomes. Twenty-one respondents were selected from five selected schools in the Komenda, Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region, Ghana to participate in the research. Respondents for the research were selected through the purposive type of sampling and they included head teachers, school feeding coordinators, parents, teachers in charge of the school feeding programme in the various schools, and caterers of the programme. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study revealed the perceptions respondents have about the SFP and its influence on enrollment, attendance, completion and the academic performances of Basic School learners. Overall, the research respondents perceive the SFP to improve the educational and academic outcomes of Basic school learners. The research also found other issues such as improvement in cognitive development and reduction of hunger associated with the programme. Furthermore, the research found some major challenges of the SFP and its implementation. These include lack of financial resources, the delay of funds to support the implementation of the SFP and poor nutrition mainly associated with improper menu planning by caterers and the frequent absence of vegetables and fruits in school meals. The research also explored respondents’ knowledge on the SFP and whether the programme should be expanded to other schools. The study also made some recommendations on the various ways in which the implementation of the school feeding programmes (SFP) can be improved to meet its objectives. This include; the government should ensure that money allocated to the programmes is expanded in the annual fiscal spending of the state, the government must ensure that there are increased collaborations and partnerships for the programme and periodic monitoring and evaluation could ensure that the objectives of the programme are met.
Keywords: School feeding programme, Learners, Enrolment, Academic performance, Influence, Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipality.