TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ......................................................................................................... i
APPROV A.L ..............................................................................................................• ii
DEDICATION ......................................................................................................... ill
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT··············································--······································· iv
TABlE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... v
liST Of TABLES .................................................................................................. vii
UST Of fiGURES ................................................................................................ vii
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ viii
CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................ l
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.7
1.8
Introduction ................................................................................................... 1
Background to the study ............................................................................. 1
Statement of the problem ........................................................................... 3
Purpose .......................................................................................................... 3
Specific objective .......................................................................................... 3
Scope .............................................................................................................. 4
Operational definitions of terms ................................................................. 5
CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................... 6
liTERATURE REVIEW ...........................•...•..••...••......•............................•..•..•...•.. 6
CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................. 11
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......•.•.••.•.•....................................••.••.•.••.•..........•. 11
3.0 Introduction ................................................................................................. 11
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Research Design ......................................................................................... 11
Research Area and Population .................................................................. 11
Target population ....................................................................................... 12
Sample techniques and sample size ........................................................ 12
v
3.5 Researcher instrument ............................................................................... 12
3.6 Data collection procedure .......................................................................... 13
3. 7 Data analysis ............................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER fOUR ................................................................................................... 14
DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION •••••••.•••••••.• 14
4.0 Introduction .............................................................................................. 14
4.1 Nutrition and enrollment of children in pre-school... .......................... 14
4.1.1 Enrollment of children and presence of a school feeding program in
the selected PFCDE centers .................................................................. 15
4.1.2 Enrollment of children in schools without feeding programs ........... 16
4.2 Quality of food served in pre - school ................................................. 17
4.2.1 Feeding routines for the pre schools ................................................... I 8
4.3 Nutrition and school preface .................................................................. 18
4.3.1 Nutrition and learners' performance in school. .................................. 19
4.4 Nutrition and Absenteeism .................................................................... 19
CHAPTER FIVE ••.••.•.•.•.•.••.••.•.••.•.•.••••.•.•.••.•.••.•••.••.•.••.•••.••.•.•.•.••.•.•.••.••••.•..•.••.••.•..• 21
SUMMARY Of FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 21
5.0 Introduction .............................................................................................. 21
5.1 Summary of findings .............................................................................. 21
5.1.1 The effect of nutrition on enrollment of learners in ECD centers ... 21
5.1.2 The quality and quantity of school feeding programs ...................... 21
5.1.3 Feeding and learner's academic performance .................................... 22
5.1.4 Nutrition and learners' absenteeism .................................................... 22
5.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 23
5.3 Recommendation ..................................................................................... 23
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 25
ABSTRACT This study was intended to investigate on the influence of nutrition on learners academic performance in pre schools of Ruiru zone Juja division in Thika district Questionnaires, interviews and observation guides were used to facilitate data collection. Rndings in the study established that three ECD centers had partially implemented the school feeding programs to centers for the Nutrition needs of learners, while only two had a balance one. It was revealed that the three centers which had partial feeding program, enrolled fewer children complemented it This finding highlights the relationship between food and enrollment of children in schools. The finding is in agreement with that of Bundy According to thirteen teachers, it was established that children perform better when they are well nourished. Pre - scholars who carry packed lunch from homes have many problems and may not enjoy school life. Pre - scholars who learn in schools with feeding programmers dont encounter many problems. They enjoy being at school and they perform well academically. Also recommendations were made like Schools can become one of the nations; most weapons in the fight against nutrition by creating an environment that is conductive healthful eating and physical activity. Assess the schools health policies and programmers and develop a plan for improvement Strengthen the schools nutrition and physical policies. Implement a high quality health promotion programmed for school staff. Carry out a high quality course of study in health education. Implement a high quality physical education course.
