DO STUDENTS’ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PARTICIPATION GET BETTER THROUGH SCHOOL FEEDING IN ETHIOPIA? - Research Study Findings - Grade 8 Students

Oct 15, 2026

The study evaluates whether school feeding improves academic performance and class participation of Grade 8 students in primary public schools in Gulele sub city, Ethiopia. Using a quantitative quasi-experimental design, 200 students were selected through purposive sampling from five woredas. Data were collected via a standardized attention checklist and roster cards, then analyzed with difference-in-difference linear regression and independent sample t-tests. Results show positive effects on academic achievement, attendance, and students’ attention span, with recommendations for greater financing and broader national coverage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

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Background of the Study

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DO STUDENTS’ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PARTICIPATION GET BETTER THROUGH SCHOOL FEEDING IN ETHIOPIA? EASAW ALEMAYEHU ASSEFA Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia ABSTRACT According to the Ethiopia Ministry of Education (2015), school feeding initiatives, such as feeding children in food insecure conditions, providing educational resources, and school meals are essential for supporting access to general education. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of school feeding program on the academic performance and class participation of Grade 8 students in the primary public schools in Gulele sub city, Ethiopia. A quantitative research method with a quasi-experimental design was used in conducting the study. From Grade 8, two hundred students were selected by using purposive sampling technique. From five out often Woredas, the sample primary schools with Grade 8 were selected. Standardized Attentions Check List and the roster cards were used to solicit the primary and secondary sources of data. Difference inDifference linear regression and Independent Sample t-test were applied for analyzing academic achievement, attendance and attention data respectively. Result of data analysis indicated the positive effect of school feeding program on academic achievement and attendance of Grade 8 students. The school feeding also has an effect on the students’attention span. Providing for greater financing and more coverage for the school-feeding program at country level is recommended. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Over 1.2 billion people are affected by the persistent issue of hunger worldwide (Morrissey et al, 2014) . School feeding programs (SFPs) are aimed at reducing temporary hunger, better children’s diets and cognitive development, and give families more financial support (Jomaa et al., 2011) . When we think of the very meaning of school feeding, it is nothing but the provision of food to school children on the school premises. But, the form of school feeding based on their modalities can be grouped into two categories, i.e., children in school eating and children taking food home for the family (Bundy et al., 2009) . Providing high energy food, biscuits or snacks to the attending elementary school students are also the part ofin school feeding according to the statement of World Food Program (WFP) (WFP, 2016) . School feeding programs are considered as investments in the world’s poorest children. Through this program as a catalyst, students can be out of hunger and can come to school to study. In developing countries, everyday an average of 60 million students go to school hungry (Neeser, 2012) . International and local organization policy makers use various mechanisms like social safety nets to minimize the problem of malnutrition and hunger in their countries. To tackle such problem, programs, such as food for education (FFE), are initiatives supported by public or private funding sources (Lawson, 2012). Since 2009 the world food program is working on the integration of school feeding program on the comprehensive and holistic system of government policies in education rather than focusing food as project approach (Alderman et al., 2012). The policy directive included a reformed focus on government ownership by having a strong local procurement (Abiy, 2017) . Educational Planning | Winter 2023 7 Vol. 30, No. 1 Linking with small holder farming and committing to a better nutrition’s food baskets, the HomeGrown School Feeding Program (HGSFP) (WFP, 2016) is targeted to increase the students school performances, class attention, attendance, enrollment and retention rates (Bundy et al., 2009; Songa, 2011) . The essential of better food and better learning capacity of students is emphasized by the Ethiopian government with initiatives of school health strategies. By the same token, various studies have also shown that the students’aptitude, concentration and attentiveness can be positively affected by food nutrition (Zenebe

FAQs

What was the main purpose of the study on school feeding in Ethiopia?

To assess the impact of the school feeding program on Grade 8 students’ academic performance and class participation in Gulele sub city, Ethiopia.

How was the study designed and what data were used?

A quantitative quasi-experimental design was used. Data were gathered using a standardized attention checklist and roster cards, then analyzed with difference-in-difference linear regression and independent sample t-tests.

What outcomes did the researchers find from the school feeding program?

The program had a positive effect on academic achievement and attendance and also improved students’ attention span.

Oct 15, 2026

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