EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS IN ENHANCING STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN GOMBE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

The study evaluated the effectiveness of school feeding programs in enhancing student attendance and academic performance in Gombe Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the need to determine whether the provision of meals to pupils contributes significantly to educational outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from teachers, head teachers, and pupils in selected public primary schools through questionnaires and school records. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Findings revealed that school feeding programs significantly improved school attendance, enrolment, retention, classroom participation, and academic performance among pupils. The study also identified challenges such as inadequate funding, irregular food supply, poor monitoring, and inadequate feeding facilities. The study concluded that school feeding programs are effective in promoting educational participation and improving academic achievement. It recommended increased funding, improved supervision, stakeholder involvement, and regular evaluation of the program to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.