IMPACT OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM ON PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

This study seeks to investigate if the program has significant positive impact on school enrollment, class attendance, performance and food nutritional among primary school children in Zaria Local Government, Kaduna State. Data were collected from one hundred and twenty eight (128) respondents. Questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews and Observation were the methods employed to collect the data. The quantitative data have been analyzed using mean, proportion, independent samples test and bivariate correlation techniques, whereas the qualitative data are analyzed along with the quantitative results. The study found no significant positive impact of School Feeding Program on any of the indicators (enrollment, attendance and nutritional value), although it has some roles with regard to these objectives. The result also shows that the major factors affecting school enrollment are demand for child labor, cost of schooling, availability of school, teaching quality and school infrastructure, distance to school, the availability of food incentives and safety concerns. The study recommends that both the nutritional and economic values of School Feeding Program should be improved in order to significantly enhance school participation