FREE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES AND PUPIL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KABARNET DIVISION OF BARINGO DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

The study was mainly to examine how free food provision at school impacts on the academic

performance of pupils in Kabarnet division of Baringo district. The study was intended to

answer the following research questions:

• How is the accessibility offree food by the pupils?

• How does free school feeding affect pupils' attendance at school?

• And how does class attendance affect pupil performance in class?

The methods used questionnaires, interviews, observation and review of literature to collect

data for the study. In some instances, more than one data collection method was applied on a

single category of respondents to ensure reliability and validity of the findings,

The findings of the study indicated that: Pupils hare provided with food provide in form of Breaktime

porridge, Lunch time Ugali and beans. This is for every pupil at school who lines up to be

served; Some pupils however, bring own packed meals due to dietary requirements and

medical advice or from preferences; the PTA in most schools set aside a small budget to

purchase sugar to add to the porridge to give it taste; some pupils are given money to buy food

or edibles from canteens.; and that Most school meals lacked nutrition supplements besides the

common carbohydrates, protein and Fat.

Because of monotony of the standard issue of meals in form of porridge, Ugali and beans, many

pupils escape to canteens or trading centre shops to buy edibles . They end up losing classes,

especially after breaks. And these are the most missed lessons.

Most school meals lacked nutrition supplements besides the common carbohydrates, protein

and Fat. However, fortification can be a solution to this if schools could order for fortified

packages to add to school meals. Balanced diet is the basis for good nutrition which is also

basis for full growth and development.

The study therefore, recommends that, schools should have farms where they involve in food

and agro production to add to variety of dishes served. This will enable pupils have a source of

balanced diet.

The study concludes that: Provision of food is not a sole responsibility of the school but of the

community as well and parents. The idea should be that availability of food security that assures

a meal for every child regularly. Meals at school are just a continuation to that provided at home.

Providing food at school is a continuous provision of nutrition that enables a child's body grow

and develop fully.

Vil