Food Management and Students’ Performance in Government-Aided Secondary Schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District, Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the influence of food management on students’ performance in government- aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. The study specifically aimed; i) To examine the influence of nutritional programs on students’ performance, ii) To assess the influence of special dietary needs management on students’ performance, and iii) To examine the influence of food safety and sanitation on students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design coupled with a quantitative approach. The study considered a sample size of 73 respondents constituting of teachers and head teachers who were selected using convenient sampling technique. The study revealed that nutritional programs have a strong positive and statistically significant influence on students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. Additionally, the study also revealed that special dietary needs management has a moderately positive and statistically significant influence on students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. The study further revealed that food safety and sanitation has a strong positive and statistically significant influence on students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. The study concluded that food management has a significant influence on students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District in that an improvement in nutritional programs, special dietary needs management, as well as food safety and sanitation would resultantly lead to an improvement in students’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District. The study recommended that the government and school administrators should ensure that the school meals meet dietary guidelines, offering a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals as well as incorporate nutrition education into the curriculum to teach students about healthy eating habits and the importance of nutrition which would significantly enhance students’ performance in the different government-aided secondary schools in Bamunanika, Luwero District.