Stakeholders' perceptions on the nutritional and educational impacts of National Home Grown School Feeding Programme on pupils of rural public primary schools in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The Nigerian government, in addition to the already existing free and compulsory primary education policy, introduced the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in public primary schools across the country to fight short-term hunger and improve the health and nutritional needs of children by providing daily nutritious meals during school hours. Our study is borne out of scarce literature examining the efficacy of the programme on the pupils. Twenty-four participants were purposively selected for the study. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analysed thematically. Participants believed that the programme has improved the academic performance of the pupils and saved them from hunger. However, factors such as inadequate funding and lack of involvement of child welfare professionals like social workers affect the operations of the programme. The study recommended the inclusion of social workers in the awareness creation and implementation of the programme for more effective results.

Automated summary

The Nigerian government introduced the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in public primary schools to improve the health and nutrition of children. The study found that the program has improved academic performance and reduced hunger among the students. However, insufficient funding and lack of involvement of child welfare professionals affect the effectiveness of the program.