HOMEGROWN SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME AND LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study aimed at examining homegrown school feeding programmes and learning achievementin public primary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.The research questions were: How does the implementation of home grown school feeding programme influence learner access and retention in education in public primary schools? How does the increase in food production influence learners’ access and retention? How does the funding of the HGSFPenhance access and retention of learners? What are the challenges faced in the implementation of the HGSFP that affect learners’access and retention? What measures can be put in place to enhance home grown school feeding programme to enhance learners’ access and retention? The study used stakeholder’s theory by Freeman (2008).Convergent Parallel Mixed Method guided the study.The target population was 243 head teachers, 1944teachers, 243 Board of Management, 25 Quality Assurance and Standards Officers, 4 Sub- County Directors of Education and 8920 pupils. Stratified random sampling, extreme case purposive sampling,typical case sampling, homogeneous and automatic inclusion methods were used to select samples of 234 learners, 100 teachers, 50 head teachers, 50 Board of Management, 25 Quality Assurance and Standard Officers and Sub County Director of Education. Data was collected usingquestionnaires, interview guides, observation guide and document analysis guide which were validated by experts in content and construct validity. Cronbach alpha technique determined reliability for quantitative research instruments. Qualitative items were determined in their credibility and dependability. Descriptive statistics analyzed quantitative data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 22. Frequencies and percentages were presented in frequency distribution tables. Pearson correlation coefficient tested the research hypotheses. Qualitative data were analyzed and organized thematically and presented in narratives and direct quotes.Key findings showed that planning to plant drought resistant crops, use of manure to increase farm yields, funding education, establishment of medical facilities and provision of transport enhancedpupils’access and retention in education.Involvement of parents and community in planning, growing food crops for home consumption. Water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funds compromised the HGSFP.Thehead teachers and BOM were not involving parents about HGSFP planning.The study concluded that HGSFP has not been fully implemented in Tharaka Nithi County. The study recommended that the BOM should involve the parents and the community in planning and execution of HGSFP. School gardening be established to grow food crops to supplement children's diets and HGSFP.Parents to contribute cereals or in-kindto support HGSFP meals. The Local government and National government to facilitate the primary schools with structures for the execution of HGSFP to ensure pupils eat enough balanced diet, access education andconcentrate in learning activities for better performance.