An analysis of the implementation of the school supplementary feeding programme in Windhoek, Namibia
Loading...
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Abstract provided by author
The school supplementary feeding programme is a national initiative implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS). MOHSS offers technical expertise in health related issues through the National Policy for School Health
The objectives of the study were to assess how the implementation of the school supplementary feeding programme is helping to ease the malnutrition burden on school learners, determine the extent to which primary school learners are gaining increased knowledge on nutrition due to the school supplementary feeding programme, establish the extent to which the knowledge has resulted in improved practices in food preparation and nutritional status of learners, and to ascertain the community's acceptance of the school supplementary feeding programme
The study applied a combination of qualitative and quantitative design with descriptive and comparative approaches. Individual interviews were conducted with 102 learners (both on the feeding programme and those not in the feeding programme) using a structured questionnaire. A focus group discussion was also held with the parents or guardians with regards to their perception of the school supplementary feeding programme (n = 8). The study was conducted at Havana Primary School in the Katutura area of Windhoek
The study found a total of 90 ( n=51) of the learners in the school supplementary feeding programme were thin, with 59 being moderately to severely thin. The study also revealed that 67 (n=51) of the learners not participating in the school supplementary feeding programme were also mildly to severely thin. The parents or guardians appreciated the school feeding programme, but from the learners and the parents' responses there was nothing to show that the programme is improving nutrition knowledge to both the learners and their families
The findings highlighted that the current school feeding supplementary programme implementation was not sufficient and that more still needed to improve its delivery. The school feeding programme is in need of strengthening by implementing more monitoring and evaluation measures to improve the efficiency of service delivery. The Ministry of Health and Social services working more closely with the Ministry of Education can cement the gains already achieved by the school supplementary feeding program. The primary school education curriculum could also be improved to provide more nutrition education to the learners
The school supplementary feeding programme is a national initiative implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS). MOHSS offers technical expertise in health related issues through the National Policy for School Health
The objectives of the study were to assess how the implementation of the school supplementary feeding programme is helping to ease the malnutrition burden on school learners, determine the extent to which primary school learners are gaining increased knowledge on nutrition due to the school supplementary feeding programme, establish the extent to which the knowledge has resulted in improved practices in food preparation and nutritional status of learners, and to ascertain the community's acceptance of the school supplementary feeding programme
The study applied a combination of qualitative and quantitative design with descriptive and comparative approaches. Individual interviews were conducted with 102 learners (both on the feeding programme and those not in the feeding programme) using a structured questionnaire. A focus group discussion was also held with the parents or guardians with regards to their perception of the school supplementary feeding programme (n = 8). The study was conducted at Havana Primary School in the Katutura area of Windhoek
The study found a total of 90 ( n=51) of the learners in the school supplementary feeding programme were thin, with 59 being moderately to severely thin. The study also revealed that 67 (n=51) of the learners not participating in the school supplementary feeding programme were also mildly to severely thin. The parents or guardians appreciated the school feeding programme, but from the learners and the parents' responses there was nothing to show that the programme is improving nutrition knowledge to both the learners and their families
The findings highlighted that the current school feeding supplementary programme implementation was not sufficient and that more still needed to improve its delivery. The school feeding programme is in need of strengthening by implementing more monitoring and evaluation measures to improve the efficiency of service delivery. The Ministry of Health and Social services working more closely with the Ministry of Education can cement the gains already achieved by the school supplementary feeding program. The primary school education curriculum could also be improved to provide more nutrition education to the learners
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Public Health
Keywords
School health services Namibia, Public health Namibia, School children health and hygiene