School Feeding Program and Pupils’ Enrolment in Selected Public Primary Schools, in Busanze Sector, Nyaruguru District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to find out whether or not the School Feeding Programme had enhanced the school enrolment in selected public primary schools located in Busanze sector in Nyaruguru district, Rwanda. The objectives of the study were: to determine the extent of the implementation of school feeding program in public primary schools of Busanze sector in Nyaruguru district, Rwanda; to detennine the level of and trend of pupils’ enrolment in public primary schools in Busanze sector between the school year 2004 and 2013; to establish whether or not there was a significant difference between pupils’ enrolments before and after the implementation of school feeding program in public primary schools located in Busanze sector in Nyaruguru district, Rwanda .This study employed Ex Post Facto research design since the main focus was to find out what the pupils’ enrolment was before and after school feeding program in the selected public primary schools. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used so as to give meaning to quantitative data. Data were collected through questionnaire and interview guide and were analyzed using SPSS. The study was carried out in six public primary schools. The study sample size was 264 primary six pupils from six public primary schools and six head teachers from six selected public primary schools. Simple random and purposive sampling procedures were used to select the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that the school feeding program was well implemented with (mean = 2.97) interpreted as large. The mean level of pupils’ enrolment after school feeding program was higher (mean = 5997.80, Std. D = 746.07) than before (mean = 2888.20, Std. D = 260.196). There was a down trend pattern in pupils’ enrolment before the school feeding and an upward trend after the implementation of the program. There is a significant difference between pupils’ enrolment before and after the school feeding program implementation. Since (sig. = 0.002 < 0.05), this has led to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Therefore, the study made the following recommendations: i) there is a need for that extent (mean = 2.97) interpreted large to become larger; ii) Government should develop the exit strategies for feeding pupils in the event that World Food Program is no longer able to provide food aid.