School Feeding Program in Nigeria: Special Schools Experience
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Date
2024-03-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bumi Publikasi Nusantara (ASEAN Journal of Community and Special Needs Education 3(1) (2024) 11-28)
Abstract
School feeding is a world bank initiative aimed at social
safety, provision of health benefits to encourage school
enrollment, attendance, reduction of absenteeism,
increased cognitive development, and improved food
security at the household level. School feeding is a program
implemented in Nigeria, as in most developing countries. It
is designed to cater to all categories of learners. A typical
group of vulnerable learners in society who need to be fed
through the school feeding initiative are students with
special needs. These students exhibit diverse disabilities and
require support. The study aims to investigate school feeding
programs among students with special needs in Kwara State,
Nigeria. Five purposes were formulated, from where three
research questions were raised and two hypotheses were
tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Relevant literature was
reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected
from students and teachers in special schools. 10 special
education teachers were engaged in focus group discussion,
while 40 teachers and 60 students responded to the 15-item
questionnaire. The results revealed that school feeding is
being practiced in special schools. The program has
improved school enrollment and attendance in school and
the students are healthier and are performing very well due
to improved cognitive development. The government at all
levels should ensure the continued financing of the school
feeding program.