THE ROLE OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND DROPOUTS: THE CASE OF ADDIS KETEMA SUB-CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess and describes the roles of student feeding program on Students’ academic performance and dropout rate in Addis Ketema primary public schools. This study mainly employed qualitative data. A non-probability sampling in the form of a purposive sampling technique is employed in selecting the schools and was used to get better information about the roles of school feeding. For this research, teachers, parents, school principals, and Addis Ketema education office officers were considered in the sampling. The information was accumulated from the questioners, interview, report audit, and observation from open essential schools within the Addis Ketema sub-city. The finding indicates that the feeding program decrease the dropout rate of students in 2022, the role of feeding in school begin by reducing latecomers and absence from class. Moreover, the study indicates the positive roles of the School Feeding Program on the academic performance of students. In conclusion, the number of students who becomes late and the number of student absences reduce year to year after the feeding program is begun. The feeding program has its role in student attendance and enrolment as well it has a role in the mitigation of hunger by providing food in the school .On the bases of these findings and recommendations forwarded are; establishing an office in each school that conducts research and identifies the need of the students, strong checking and controlling mechanism from the government as well as from each sub-city education office related to the feeding program.