An assessment on influence of School Feeding Program on pupils’ enrolment, attendance and academic performance in primary schools in Njombe district, Tanzania

This study investigated the influence the School Feeding Program (SFP) on pupils’ enrolment, attendance and academic performance in primary schools in Njombe district- Tanzania. It employed the following three specific objectives: To examine the levels of enrolment before and after the commencement of the school feeding program, to assess the influence of school feeding program on pupils’ attendance and to determine the influence of school feeding program on pupils’ academic performance. The study was supported by literature from other research studies done on school feeding program and very few from other subject areas. The study employed mixed research approach and adopted descriptive design in order to achieve the aim of the study. Data were collected from six primary schools in Njombe district. It involved a sample of 55 respondents including one District Education Officer (DEO), six head teachers, 12 teachers, 12 chairpersons of school committees, 12 parents and 12 pupils. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Data collection methods were documentary reviews, questionnaires and interviews. The study findings showed that school feeding program has increased pupils’ enrolment, attendance and academic performance. Few schools have been not stable in terms of pupils’ enrolment, attendance and academic performance due to parents’ negative attitudes towards education, lack of teaching and learning materials, long distance to and from schools, poverty of parents, shortage of teachers, overcrowded classes, political issues and pupils who were orphans. The study recommends that the government through Ministry of Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government should improve the infrastructure of the schools by cooperating with other educational stakeholders and encouraging parents to support SFPs by contributing contributions like money and food