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Research Paper | Education Management | Tanzania | Volume 12 Issue 10, October 2023 | Rating: 5.7 / 10
Parents' Perceptions on the Absence of Food Provision on Students' Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools
Mariamu Mafuru | P. T. Mramba
Abstract: The study focus was to find out parents' perceptions on the absence of food provision on students' academic performance in public secondary schools. The study used the Qualitative research approach under a descriptive design of which a total of 78 respondents were used as key informants. The study was conducted from the five selected secondary schools in Morogoro municipal council which were Kilakala, Morogoro, Mafiga, Kingalu and U/Taifa. The study was guided by Social Cognitive Theory and Maslow Hierarch of Needs which emphasized the importance of having basic needs in a given social context for the sake of developing the cognitive abilities. The data were collected through interview, observation and questionnaire for the proper identification of parents' perceptions towards food absences in schools. The data obtained was presented through frequency and percentages with support of direct quotations from respondents. Diagrams were also used in showing the data view for easy understanding. The study was guided by Food Nutrition policy (1992). The study results indicate that, the food provision in schools had a positive impact on students' academic performance though most parents were reluctant to pay for their children food. And those who show positive responses end up by paying for only one kind of food category (starch) instead of having all the required nutrition. The respondents fail to explain the association between food absence and students' academic performance but agreed to teach hungry students who finally show the learning misbehavior like irregular truancy, sleeping during the lesson and tiredness among students. Hence, it can be concluded that, parents' perceptions on the absence of food provision on students' academic performance in public secondary schools were positive but their participation were negatively affecting the presence of foods in schools and leave the majority of children to stay with hungry while in schools.
Keywords: parents perceptions, food provision, academic performance, public secondary schools
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 10, October 2023,
Pages: 586 - 590