INFLUENCE OF NATIONAL HOME-GROWN SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME ON PUPILS' ENROLMENT IN SELECTED PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NORTH EAST, NIGERIA

This study investigated the influence of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) on primary school pupils' enrolment in North East, Nigeria. Three research questions as well as a null research hypothesis were postulated for the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of teachers in public primary schools in four states in North East, Nigeria was 3,757 from 416 schools, while the sample size of 360 teachers was drawn from 120 public primary schools which implied 90 teachers from 30 public primary schools within a state using multistage sampling technique. The self-developed research instrument named ‘National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme Questionnaire’ was used to collect data; while the enrolment register was also collected from the teachers. Three experts from Adamawa State University, Mubi validated the instrument. Test re-test method of reliability was used and the reliability co-efficient of 0.87 was obtained. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and simple regression analysis. In conclusion, the NHGSFP was a good initiative that helped in reduction of drop out of pupils in primary schools. However, there were some challenges that needed to be addressed in order to achieve the objectives of the programme. It was recommended that adequate funding should be made available to the vendors to enhance the promptness and quality of meal provided.