Lack of proper nutrition to children in the public school is very evident nowadays. It has been proven that no amount of teacher’s effort, teaching strategies can compensate for the lack of proper nutrition in the class. Some schools effectively conducted feeding programs in the depressed communities of our country. There are things to consider when running a school feeding program. The feeding program should last for 120 days. It is important to follow this period because if this is not followed the purpose of the program will not be attained. Only nutrition- fortified foods should be given to the beneficiaries for the whole period. Particular emphasis are given on the use of Malunggay,kalabasaetc. to enhance the nutritional value of the food to be fed to the children. If the stomach is empty the brain will not function well.Monitoring of pupils’ weight should be done constantly after the program. Weigh the pupils to detect early if what has been done in the school is being applied in their homes. You can conduct home visitation and dialogue with the parents to remedy the problems early.

Health and nutrition awareness program should be integrated in teaching Science ,EPP, and other subject areas. Networking with the Barangay  Health Midwife to update the school about the families with health problems in the barangay. The school should solicit the help of the PTCA, barangay and/or municipal officials in the funding of the supplementary feeding program.

  Effective school  feeding program can surely help ing the attainment of quality education because there will be no more “hungry stomachs being taught by the teachers. As Sen. Edgardo Angara said,” The educational system is now turning out a generation of underperformers, because of malnutrition”. Let us all work  hand  in hand in order to have nutritionally healthy pupils.

By: Juvy Cruz | MT-I | Orion Elementary School