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This study was directed toward assessing the influence of school meals on students'
attendance in community secondary schools. It was conducted in Korogwe District,
Tanga region in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to explore the influence of
school meals on students attendance presented in Korogwe District, to examine the
attitude of parents toward contributing to school meals and identifying challenges
facing provision of school meals provision in Korogwe District. The study employed
both qualitative and quantitative approach to get depth data. In this study the
researcher adopted both non-probability sampling techniques and probability
sampling techniques. Purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain the
sample of the heads of school while Simple random technique was employed to
obtain representative sample for the parents, teachers and students. The main
instruments used for the data collection were questionnaires, interviews, observation,
Focus group discussion (FGD) and documentary review. The qualitative data
collected through interview and questionnaire were analyzed using a structural
functional content analysis, and descriptive statistics was used to provide frequency
and percentage of the quantitative data. The study findings revealed that in all
schools within the study area, meals were provided and they were shown to have
positive impact on students toward school attendance. Also it was revealed that the
meal programme at school was supported positively by the parents. Furthermore, the
study reported some challenges on the school meal provisions which include poor
contribution of the items agreed upon such as maize and beans, also parents‟ low
income was another problem reported in the study area. Measures suggested to
overcome the above challenges are such as the support from the government,
similarly, schools should engage effectively in shamba activities. Education toward
meals provision in schools is very important to the society in general. It is
recommended that enhanced food security at the household level would imply an
increase in capacity by the parents communities) to continue supporting the SFP |
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