Assessment of the effectiveness of management of the School Feeding programme in Public Primary Schools in Kasarani Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Provision of education is a major component in the realization of the Kenya’s vision 2030. There are however challenges of equity that may deny many children an opportunity to attend school and hence the necessary knowledge and skills. School feeding programs (SFPs) have been implemented in Kenya since the 1980s with varying degrees of success. It is used primarily as an incentive to the enrolment and retention of pupils in schools thus reducing dropout rates particularly in the lower primary grades. The central problem of this study was that despite the government interventions in attaining education for all, there are still indications of declining enrolments, chronic absenteeism, high dropout rates which result in low completion rates. The objectives of the study were establishing whether management of SFP improves enrollment of pupils, participation of pupils through enrollment and retention and whether it promotes completion rates of pupils in public primary schools in Kasarani sub- county, Nairobi County. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population was twenty five public primary schools. Data was collected by administering questionnaires, then coding in excel worksheet and analyzing using statistical package of social scientists (SPSS). Data was presented in bar graphs and statistical tables. Majority of the head teachers and teachers were in the age bracket of age (31-50) years, an age where they have gained a lot of skills in teacher management and are capable of using their expertise in proper management of the school feeding programme for better pupil participation in the school activities. The first objective of this study was to determine the influence of management of school feeding programme in primary schools. The findings were that introduction and proper management of SFP in school led to increase in pupils. The second objective of this study was to establish the influence of participation of pupils in terms of enrolment and retention. The findings were that ensuring pupil’s enrolment and retention in school is the surest way of enhancing their participation and completion in learning. The third objective was to examine the effect of management of school feeding programme on pupil’s completion rates. The findings were that completion of the learning cycle chiefly depends on enrolment and retention of pupils in school. The study concluded that head teachers, teachers, parents and other education stakeholders need to ensure that schools have a prudently managed feeding programme. Pupil’s participation in terms of enrolment and retention in primary schools is the best measure of explaining effectiveness of a well management of school feeding programme. Completion of the learning cycle among primary school pupils chiefly depends on enrolment and retention. This study recommends that although the school feeding programme is effective in the 9 schools running the programme, there is need for the other schools in Kasarani Sub County to introduce the SFP programme. The school management committees need to fully participate in the management of the school feeding programme with representatives from other education stakeholders like donors. To enhance participation of pupils in terms of enrollment and retention, the SFP may be extended to morning and evening meals to cater for the many pupils in the slums whose parents cannot afford to feed their children as a result of poverty. Incorporation of more donors is necessary for the success of the SFP to be realized through proper accountability of the programme by the head teacher, school management committees and other education stakeholders