Impact of School Feeding Programmes on Pupils’ Nutritional Status in Osun State Primary Schools

This study examines the impact of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme on the nutritional status of primary school pupils in Osun State, South West Nigeria. The school feeding programme was designed to improve children's nutrition, school enrolment, and academic concentration, yet empirical evidence of its nutritional impact in Osun State remains limited. Using a descriptive survey with pre-existing data review, the study targets 300 primary school pupils in Classes 1 to 3 in ten programme-participating schools in Osogbo and Ife Central local government areas. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, dietary recall, and structured interviews with programme cooks and school head teachers. Objectives include assessing the nutritional quality of meals served, determining changes in pupils' nutritional status over one academic term, and identifying management factors affecting programme quality. Recent literature from South West Nigeria highlights inconsistencies in meal quality and supply chain disruptions as primary threats to school feeding programme effectiveness. Data were analysed using paired t-test, ANOVA, and mean scores. The Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Framework anchors the study. Findings are anticipated to reveal modest improvements in weight-for-age indicators among regular programme participants. Recommendations address the Osun State Government, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and school management regarding menu standardisation and cook training. Keywords: school feeding, nutritional status, primary school pupils, home-grown school feeding, Osun State.