Extent Of School Feeding Program Implementation And Its Relationship To Learners’ Nutritional Status And Engagement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20301025Keywords:
school-based feeding program, nutritional status, learner engagement, program implementation, elementary educationAbstract
This study aimed to determine the extent of school-based feeding program (SBFP) implementation and its relationship to learners’ nutritional status and engagement in public elementary schools in Quezon IV District, Bukidnon. Specifically, it assessed key indicators of program implementation, including the adequacy of food served, frequency and consistency of feeding, quality and nutritional value of meals, and program management and stakeholder support. Learner outcomes were evaluated in terms of attendance, classroom participation, and academic performance. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, and a total enumeration sampling technique was used to include all school heads, teachers, and SBFP coordinators from nine public elementary schools. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, program monitoring reports, and school records, and analyzed using weighted mean, frequency, percentage, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Findings revealed that the SBFP in the district is generally well-implemented, with meals provided consistently and of moderate to high nutritional quality. Adequate stakeholder support and efficient program management were also observed. Learners demonstrated improved nutritional status, regular attendance, higher classroom participation, and positive academic engagement. Statistical analysis further indicated a significant positive relationship between the extent of SBFP implementation and learners’ nutritional status and engagement. The study concludes that the SBFP effectively enhances learner health and promotes active engagement in school activities. Recommendations include continued program monitoring, enhancement of meal quality, increased community involvement, and strategic capacity building for program implementers to sustain and maximize program outcomes.
References
Adelman, S., Gilligan, D. O., & Lehrer, K. (2008). How effective are food for education programs? A critical assessment of the evidence from developing countries. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 29(4), 365–399. Addae, K., & Boateng, S. (2025). Academic outcomes and regular meal provision: A comparative study of feeding and non-feeding schools. International Journal of Educational Research, 14(1), 29–45. Afoakwa, E., Mensah, A., & Owusu, A. (2021). Impact of school feeding programs on child nutrition and academic performance in Ghana. African Journal of Education and Development, 10(2), 45–59. Alhassan, A., Boateng, S., & Adjei, K. (2022). Nutritional outcomes of school feeding participation among elementary learners in rural settings. Journal of School Health and Nutrition, 10(4), 215–228. Aurino, E., Adamba, C., & Gelli, A. (2020). School feeding programs and educational outcomes. World Development, 134, 105045. Aurino, E., Fernald, L., & Gelli, A. (2019). School feeding programs and learning outcomes in low-income countries: Evidence from randomized studies. World Development, 115, 175–190. Aurino, E., Tranchant, J. P., Diallo, A. S., & Gelli, A. (2019). School feeding or general food distribution? Quasi-experimental evidence on the educational impacts of emergency food assistance during conflict in Mali. Journal of Development Studies, 55(1), 7–28. Balatibat, J. (2020). Impact of the School-Based Feeding Program on learners’ motivation and participation. Philippine Journal of Education Studies, 15(2), 112–124. Barbuco, M., Musa, A., & Oliveros, J. (2019). Effects of school feeding on attendance and academic performance in a national high school. Aaresearch Index. Bautista, R. (2018). Effectiveness of the School-Based Feeding Program in improving the nutritional status of pupils. Philippine Journal of Nutrition, 6(1), 15–28. Bundy, D., de Silva, N., Horton, S., Jamison, D., & Patton, G. (2009). Reimagining school feeding: Social safety nets, child development, and the education sector. World Bank Publications. Bundy, D., de Silva, N., Horton, S., Jamison, D., & Patton, G. (2018). Disease control priorities: Child and adolescent health and development. World Bank. 58 Bundy, D., de Silva, N., Horton, S., Jamison, D., & Patton, G. (2018). Re-imagining school feeding: A high-return investment in human capital and local economies. World Bank Publications. Cabarles, R., & Alcedo, P. (2020). Effects of feeding programs on nutritional rehabilitation and classroom performance in public elementary schools. Journal of Philippine Educational Research, 7(1), 33–47. Dela Cruz, M., & Gonzales, L. (2020). Community involvement in school feeding programs: A study in Northern Mindanao. Philippine Journal of Social Development, 8(2), 56–70. Dela Peña, R. (2019). Implementation challenges of the SBFP in Bukidnon schools. Bukidnon Research Journal, 5(1), 23–35. Dela Peña, R. (2025). The role of feeding adequacy and attendance in enhancing school participation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Mindanao. Department of Education (DepEd). (2017). DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2017: Operational guidelines on the implementation of the School-Based Feeding Program. Quezon City: DepEd. Department of Education (DepEd). (2020). Monitoring and evaluation report on SBFP implementation. Quezon City: DepEd. Department of Education (DepEd). (2021). DepEd Annual Report 2021. Department of Education, Philippines. Department of Education (DepEd). (2022). School-Based Feeding Program implementation report. Quezon City: DepEd. Department of Education (DepEd). (2023). DepEd SBFP accomplishment report. Manila: DepEd. Department of Education – Bukidnon Division. (2021). Annual report on School-Based Feeding Program implementation in Bukidnon. Malaybalay City: DepEd Bukidnon. DepEd Quezon District. (2023). SBFP accomplishment and school feeding outcomes report. Quezon, Bukidnon: DepEd. FAO. (2021). School Meals Coalition: Nutrition, health and education for every child. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. Florencio, R., Morales, J., & Santos, T. (2019). Nutrition and learner engagement: Evidence from feeding programs in public schools. Philippine Journal of Educational Development, 11(3), 77–91. 59 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). (2019). Expanded National Nutrition Survey. Taguig City: Department of Science and Technology. García, L. (2020). Implementation of the SBFP and its effects on attendance and academic performance of learners in Quezon Province. Philippine Educational Research Journal, 7(2), 45–58. Gelli, A., Aurino, E., & Folson, G. (2019). School feeding programs and child nutrition: Lessons from multi-country studies. Global Food Security, 21, 39–46. Gonzales, R., & Reyes, A. (2020). The impact of school feeding programs on learners’ attendance and classroom engagement in Philippine public schools. Philippine Journal of Education and Development Studies, 7(2), 45–58. Kebede, M., Gebremariam, H., & Taye, M. (2023). School feeding impacts on cognitive engagement and academic achievement in elementary schools. Journal of Child Development & Education, 9(2), 88–104. Kristjansson, E., Robinson, V., & Petticrew, M. (2020). School feeding and academic outcomes: A systematic review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, CD000900. Manalo, J., & dela Cruz, S. (2022). Parental involvement and sustainability of school feeding programs in Bukidnon. Philippine Social Science Review, 14(1), 89–104. Martinez, A. (2021). Effects of feeding program on learners’ behavioral engagement in Bukidnon schools. Philippine Education Review, 12(4), 67–81. Mendoza, L. J., & Cortez, R. S. (2024). Effects of school feeding on learners’ nutritional status and academic performance in selected Philippine schools. Asia Pacific Education Journal, 7(1), 34–47. Mensah, A., Afoakwa, E., & Owusu, A. (2023). Quality and nutritional value of school meals in Ghana’s feeding programme. African Journal of Nutrition and Health, 12(3), 185–199. Mwangi, J. N., Mutisya, M., & Maina, J. (2020). School feeding programs and peer interactions: Evidence from Kenyan primary schools. Journal of Educational Psychology and Social Development, 5(1), 47–62. National Nutrition Council Region X. (2021). Nutrition Situation Report of Northern Mindanao. NNC Region X. Okello, T., & Kato, T. (2023). Feeding frequency and school attendance in rural Ugandan primary schools. International Journal of Educational Development, 11(4), 302318. 60 Owusu, A., Mensah, A., & Nkrumah, P. (2024). School feeding programmes and improvements in attendance and engagement. African Journal of Education and Development, 13(2), 75–90. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2021). Nutritional status of children in Northern Mindanao. Quezon City: PSA. Quezon Municipal Nutrition Action Office. (2022). Annual report on feeding program implementation in Quezon, Bukidnon. Quezon, Bukidnon: MNHO. Ramos, P. D., & Bautista, F. N. (2023). Community support and program management: Implementation outcomes of school feeding in Bukidnon. Philippine Journal of Education and Nutrition, 11(2), 15–29. Reyes, M. P., Santos, L. A., & Bañez, T. (2024). School feeding and learner nutritional status: A longitudinal analysis. Philippine Journal of Child Health Research, 8(1), 62–79. Silva, A., et al. (2020). Brazil’s National School Feeding Program: A case study. Journal of Nutrition and Development, 22(2), 89–102. Ulep, V., & Borja, J. (2018). Effectiveness of the School-Based Feeding Program in addressing food insecurity in selected Philippine communities. Philippine Journal of Nutrition and Health, 7(1), 12–25. Wang, H., Li, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Digital nutrition programs and learner engagement: New perspectives. Computers & Education, 187, 104583. World Food Programme (WFP). (2020). State of school feeding worldwide 2020. Rome: WFP. World Food Programme (WFP). (2021). State of school feeding worldwide 2021. Rome: WFP. World Food Programme (WFP). (2022). State of school feeding worldwide. United Nations World Food Programme.
