Perception of Parents on Influence of Planned Meal on Pupils’ Performance in Early Childhood Development Centre, Ado- Ekiti

Abstract

The study investigated parental perceived influence of planned meal on pupils’ performance. It also assesses the factors influencing parents in putting nutritional knowledge into action. The study is a descriptive research of case study design. The face and content validity of the instrument was ascertained by Nutritionist and Tests, measurement and evaluation experts. A reliability co-efficient of 0.85 was obtained using split half method. The population for the study comprised all parents of children attending early childhood development education centre, Ado Ekiti. . The sample comprised the total number of pupils’ parents attending the primary school. One hypothesis was generated and tested using Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that parents demonstrated that quality diet had positive impacts on the pupils’ performance. It was recommended based on the findings that policies should be put in place that encourage or as appropriate mandate that all governments owned primary schools to have planned menu table for the pupils. Also, varieties of home based nutritious and affordable meal should be included in the menu time table.