Mid-day Meal Policy and Student Retention in Nepalese Community Schools

Abstract

This study has been prepared based on the topic “The Impact of the Mid-Day Meal Program on Student Attendance in Community Schools in Nepal.” This study is limited to Dhankuta District. Its main objective is to identify the current status of the mid-day meal program in community schools and to examine the changes it has brought about in students’ attendance rates. This study examines the necessary processes for providing nutritious meals at school during the daytime in order to create an environment where students who are unable to attend school regularly due to high levels of poverty and hunger can come to school regularly, in agreement with the spirit of Education for All. Since the mid-day meal program is a relatively new practice in Nepal, its effectiveness has also been examined. This study is primarily based on a qualitative research approach. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected through observation, interviews, and discussions. Interviews were conducted with head teachers, teachers and students of the tested schools, while the condition of the canteen and the meal distribution system were observed by the researcher. This study concluded that several challenges affect the effective implementation of the program. These include the irregular supply of locally available raw materials required for preparing meals; the inadequacy of the NPR 15 allocated by the government per student for the school meal program, the lack of properly managed canteens, and the absence of training for the personnel responsible for preparing the meals in food preparation and cooking. Furthermore, because the canteens are often too small and congested, proper arrangements should be made to ensure that all students can sit comfortably and eat their meals in an organized manner.