Learners’ perceptions of feeding scheme programmes at secondary schools in the Nzhelele East circuit, Limpopo province

Abstract

School feeding is a tool which, today, effectively enables many millions of poor children worldwide to attend school in developed and developing countries alike. This study evaluated the perceptions of learners on the school feeding programme in one circuit in a district of Limpopo Province. It describes the benefits of school feeding and how this well-proven tool can be improved and specifically targeted to address some of the key constraints to universal secondary school completion. The findings suggest that school feeding programmes contribute to the education and well-being of children as hungry children do not grow; cannot learn; and face many health risks. School feeding can bring children into school and out of hunger; providing food for children at school can relieve immediate short-term hunger which is very beneficial for learning to take place. Alleviating short-term hunger among children at school helps to improve their performance in school tests and to promote a normal progression from grade to grade in completing their basic education. The study used individual interviews, document analysis and observation to obtain data from selected participants from two schools in the Nzhelele East Circuit in the Vhembe District. Responses to questions were analysed and a statistical analysis provided positive answers which revealed that the school feeding programme was effective; that more should be done to improve its delivery; that there should be a stable infrastructure and that the geographical location of the community should be taken into consideration when it comes to menu options. A number of recommendations are made to improve the implementation of the school feeding programme.