The Mid-Day Meal Program and Students’ Learning, Health, and Social Behaviour in Community Schools: Multiple Stakeholders' Perspectives

Abstract

There is evidence of the impact of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) program on students’ learning, nutrition, and health. Still, there is no exploration of the perceptions and experiences of community school stakeholders on this issue. This gap led to the research question: how do stakeholders perceive the impact of the MDM program on students' education and health in community schools? This study employed an exploratory qualitative design and worked with the purposively selected 21 participants in two community schools in Musikot Municipality, Rukum West district, Nepal. It used in-depth interviews for gathering qualitative data, which were transcribed, translated into English and analyzed thematically. The results showed that most participants expressed positive responses. Some participants noted that managing MDM in their respective schools is not easy. The program helped increase student enrollment, attendance, and retention, and enhanced their hygiene and general wellness. It strengthened positive social skills, motivated the students in class, and improved educational quality. Participants reported that inadequate human resource is common barrier to the operation of this program. The findings imply that the collaboration between local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as stakeholders, is needed for the program's success to continue further.