Investigating The Administration Of The School Feeding Programme: A Case Study Of Two Primary Schools In Windhoek, Namibia

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the administration of the School Feeding Programme at two primary schools in Windhoek, Namibia. The study aimed at finding out how administration is being carried out, the attitudes of the teachers towards the School Feeding Programme and the challenges that the schools are facing with the implementation of the programme. In addition, the study looked at how the schools are coping with their challenges and the suggestions they had towards programme improvement.

The study’s research design was a qualitative, descriptive research, using a case study approach. Using purposive sampling, two primary schools were selected out of a population of thirty (30) primary schools in Windhoek that are offering the Namibian School Feeding Programme. At each school, eight teachers were selected using random purposive sampling. In addition, the school principal and focal person at each school formed part of the study.

The main findings from the study show that the implementation document, which is the School Feeding Manual (1997) is not clear nor detailed enough. Schools are not well guided as to what needs to be done, when and by whom. Schools are faced with challenges such as lack or insufficient equipment and utensils to cater for the needs of the learners. The teachers are happy with the benefits of NSFP but they have expressed concern over issues such as time spent of NSFP activities, programme funding, learners’ negative attitude towards school meals and lack of commitment to the programme by the community.