The Practice of School Feeding Program (Sfp) In Primary Schools Of Mao-Komo Special Woreda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assist agents on how to sustain the program by knowing the existing practices of SFP in Mao-Komo special woreda. The Objectives Of The Study Were to investigates the practice of School Feeding Program in primary schools of Mao-Komo special woreda. Descriptive serve design with Mixed Method with a Quantitative and Qualitative Approach Were Used to Collect Data. The Study Was Conducted In Mao-komo special woreda SFP beneficiaries’ primary Schools. The target population of the study was 1664 which comprised of 1319 beneficiary students who are attending in government primary schools found in Mao-Komo special worda, 276 teachers,7 principals, 7 vice heads, 49 members of PTAs,3 educational experts who are participating in school feeding program and 3 kebele administrators are the target population of the study. The sample size drawn was 312. Out of this sample population 163 School Feeding Program beneficiary students were selected from 4 second sycle primary schools using simple random sampling techniques and included for the questionnaires purposes in the study. Questionnaire And Interview Schedule, schools documents and FGD Were Used To Collect Data. The Data Collected Through Questionnaire Was Analyzed Using Descriptive Statistics (Frequencies And Percentages, Means And Standard Deviations) And Inferential Statistics (Independent t-Test).Data Collected Using Interview Schedule, Schools documents and FGD Were Analyzed Qualitatively By Reviewing The Notes Taken, Narrating, Interpreting And Reflecting On Key Points That Are Related To The Objectives Of The Research. The results of the analyzed data have indicated the following major findings. The mean score of students’ (X= 2.89, SD=1.12) indicates that relatively the students had positive knowhow, regarding the current status of SFP in the primary schools of Mao-komo special woreda than the teachers whom mean score was (X= 2.85, SD=1.18). The difference in the mean scores of the students and teachers (X=0.04) showed significant level when it checked by the independent sample t-test, t(302) =-1.482, p=0.1. In the process of implementing SFP, improper management and lack of independent organ at each level to run SFP were some of the serious factors identified in the practices of SFP in the primary schools in Mao-Komo special Woreda. To fill the clashes observed between the demand side and supply side of SFP, different agents were involved. Parents and school feeding focal persons were tried to mobilize the resource from the community to address the gaps. The regional government was also allocated budget to solve the ongoing challenge found in the program. However, region education, schools, community and parents coordination and involvement for the effective implementation of the school feeding program were low. It was therefore recommended that the Independent organ of SFP is needs to establish at Schools Woreda and Regional level. They need to work hand in hand with the regional concerned experts and should responsible to run the program effectively. They need to work with sectors on how to maintain the practice of the program more effective. They should also monitor and evaluate the ongoing practice of SFP. The office need also provide trainings, conduct research on the way to own the program, proper selection of items produced in the special worked, work hand in hand with parents, community and other partners. They need to plan ahead on the demand side and supply side of the program