The Effect of School Feeding Program on Pupils’ Enrolment, Attendance and Performance in Northeastern Region of Nigeria

Abstract

School feeding programs have been introduced with the aim to alleviate hunger and improve pupils’ performance. This study investigates the effects of the school feeding program on pupils’ enrollment, attendance and academic performance in northeastern Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 180 class teachers at 60 participating primary schools, as well as secondary data from their school records. The linear regression results showed that the duration of the feeding program has a significant positive effect on pupils’ academic performance. The propensity scores matching results revealed that the school feeding program has a positive effect on pupils’ enrollment and class attendance. While the effect of the program was not significant on academic performance, perhaps because the sample size was small or a relatively short duration of the program, making it difficult to detect statistically significant differences in academic performance. Long-term school feeding programs are recommended to encourage pupils’ school attendance which will, in turn, improve performance in the long term.