The role of nutrition in enhancing learning among pre-primary school children in Kawempe division

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the role of nutrition on the learning process of pre-school children in selected schools of Kawempe Division. The study adopted a qualitative study design which was thematic in nature. The study was guided by three objectives: to determine how nutrition influences the learners‘ class attendance, to find out how nutrition determines the academic performance of pre-school learners and to determine how nutrition influences the concentration of pre-primary school children in class activities. Purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of twenty (20) participants from the target population. Data was collected from the participants using open ended interview questions and observation checklists. Data was thematically analyzed by searching across a data set to identify, analyze, and report repeated patterns. The results indicated that all respondents were more female respondents (65.0%) than males (35.0%), and majority of respondents were of age group 31 years plus (80.0%). Qualitative research findings indicate that the nutrition greatly influences learners‘ attendance, academic performance and concentration in classroom. The results further indicated that most pre-schools try to provide meals to children but constrained by finances. The participants recommend provision of food to all learners in pre-schools. The present study provides a basis and implications for further investigation on views of head caregivers, caregivers and parents on the role of nutrition on children‘s learning in pre-schools in different parts of Uganda. It was recommended that the head caregivers of pre-schools need to design ways of sensitizing the parents, caregivers to support them in providing food to learners. This will help the children in pre-schools to get access to the right food, hence improve their class attendance, academic performance and concentration in class.