Perception of Head Teachers and Education Secretaries on Home Grown School Feeding Program in Nigeria

The study investigated head teachers, and, education administrators' view of the Home Grown School Feeding Program and the associated sociodemographic variables. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional design. Fifty-four government owned primary schools in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, participated in the study. Head teachers and education secretaries completed a paper-and-pen questionnaire and described their perception about Home Grown School Feeding Program impact on pupil registration, presence, retention, dropout, and the problems that may be associated with the program implementation. SPSS version 23 was used to interpret the data. Results showed that head teachers perception on HGSFP was good on its effect on pupils' enrolment, attendance, retention, and dropout. Nonexistence of lawful framework and strategy for sustenance of HGSFP, insufficient funding, inability to monitor food preparation, inadequate teaching space and equipment to deal with extra admission were challenges perceived. Sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, education level, and location were not significant (p >.05). Head teachers perception was good though they have their concerns on aspects of implementation. Program implementation agencies should improve funding, monitoring, and educational infrastructure for the smooth running of the program.