ABSTRACT
This study determined the significant relationship on the effectiveness of the School Health and Nutrition Program in relation to the learners’ performance of elementary pupils. A proposed instructional supervisory plan was formulated based on the result of the study. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design to assess the effectiveness of the School Health and Nutrition Program (SHNP) in relation to key performance indicators (KPIs) such as student attendance, nutritional status, and academic performance. The descriptive component provided a detailed picture of how the program was implemented and its direct outcomes on the students, while the correlational aspect examined the relationships between the SHNP and specific KPIs. Descriptive research was deemed appropriate as it systematically collected data to understand the status and effectiveness of the SHNP in selected public elementary schools. It involved gathering quantifiable data to evaluate various dimensions of the program, including participation rates, nutritional improvements, and academic results. The correlational design identified the strength and direction of the association between the program’s implementation (independent variable) and measurable educational and health outcomes (dependent variables). This helped determine if and how the SHNP influenced KPIs such as attendance rates, health improvements, and academic achievement. The test of relationship between the perception of school heads towards the implementation of the School Health and Nutrition Program (SHNP) and the students’ academic performance. It shows the results of the statistical test conducted to determine whether a significant relationship exists between how school heads perceived the implementation of the SHNP and how students performed academically during the period under study. As reflected in the table, the results revealed a moderate positive correlation between the perception of school heads toward SHNP implementation and the students’ academic performance. This indicates that as the level of effective implementation of the SHNP increases, students’ academic performance also tends to improve. The statistical analysis further led to the rejection of the null hypothesis, signifying that there is indeed a significant relationship between the two variables examined. The findings suggest that school heads who strongly support and effectively implement health and nutrition initiatives contribute positively to learners’ scholastic achievement. When school leaders ensure that health programs—such as feeding initiatives, medical check-ups, and hygiene awareness—are properly executed, students are more likely to attend classes regularly, focus better on lessons, and perform well academically. The positive relationship implies that while the SHNP may not be the sole determinant of academic success, it plays a substantial role in promoting a healthy and conducive learning environment that enhances student outcomes. The results imply that there is a significant moderate positive relationship between the perception of school heads regarding the SHNP and the students’ academic performance. The result implies that effective leadership and consistent program implementation under the SHNP foster better student learning outcomes, showing that health and education are closely interconnected. This finding underscores that when school administrators prioritize students’ health and nutrition, academic performance improves correspondingly.
Keywords: Effectiveness, School Health and Nutrition Program, Learners Performance
INTRODUCTION
The School Health and Nutrition Program (SHNP) is a comprehensive initiative implemented in many basic education institutions to address students’ physical well-being, reduce learning barriers caused by malnutrition and illness, and improve their overall academic performance. This program typically includes regular health assessments, deworming, micronutrient supplementation, school-based feeding, and hygiene education. In relation to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the effectiveness of SHNP is measured not only by improved student health and nutritional status but also by increased attendance rates, reduced dropout rates, improved academic performance, and overall program efficiency and sustainability.
The researcher believes that schools play a vital role beyond academics. Having grown up witnessing how educational institutions can serve as safe spaces—especially for students from underserved communities—the researcher developed a strong interest in how the education system can act as a gateway not only to knowledge, but also to improved health and well-being. This study reflects that interest, exploring the intersection between education and social support systems, a theme the researcher has long been passionate about.
Another motivation stems from personal experience observing students who struggled due to limited access to basic health and nutrition. Many came to school hungry, unwell, or emotionally burdened, which negatively impacted their ability to focus, participate, or attend regularly. These experiences underscored for the researcher the essential role of support services within the school environment. By choosing this topic, the researcher aims to explore how effectively these school health and nutrition programs are functioning, identify areas for improvement, and examine what factors contribute to their success or limitations. Through this inquiry, the researcher hopes to contribute to the development of more responsive and impactful interventions in the education sector.
According to Gelli et al. (2019), school nutrition interventions have demonstrated improvements in enrolment and attendance, with feeding programs alone contributing to a 9% increase in participation in low-resource settings. Additionally, Tanaka and Tanaka (2021) emphasized that well-managed SHNPs contribute significantly to reducing short-term hunger and increasing classroom focus, which in turn can enhance academic outcomes and meet critical KPIs like student learning outcomes and health coverage rates.
Despite these promising findings, pressing issues remain. Many schools struggle with irregular implementation due to lack of funding, inconsistent monitoring, and absence of data-driven performance evaluation frameworks. In the Philippines, while the Department of Education has institutionalized SHNP components through policies such as DO 13, s. 2017 (School-Based Feeding Program), gaps in performance tracking systems and integration with school-level KPIs limit the capacity to determine the program’s long-term impact. Moreover, malnutrition remains a significant public health concern. As highlighted by UNICEF Philippines (2023), stunting and wasting still affect millions of Filipino children, threatening their educational and cognitive development. Without empirical evaluations tied to performance metrics, SHNPs risk being underutilized or misaligned with student needs and institutional goals.
The researcher has observed real and persistent problems in schools concerning the delivery of essential health and nutrition services. While many programs are designed with good intentions, their implementation often falls short due to limited resources, inadequate training of school personnel, and weak monitoring and evaluation systems. Consequently, the intended benefits of these initiatives frequently fail to reach the students who need them most. These recurring challenges prompted the researcher’s curiosity about the underlying causes of these implementation gaps and the need to explore more effective strategies for addressing them within the school system.
Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the School Health and Nutrition Program in relation to Key Performance Indicators, specifically focusing on student health outcomes, participation rates, and academic performance. By doing so, the research will fill a critical gap in monitoring and evaluation, help ensure evidence-based program enhancement, and provide valuable insights for policymakers and school administrators. The need to assess SHNP effectiveness through the lens of KPIs is both urgent and essential to achieve sustainable improvements in student welfare and learning outcomes.
This study determined the significant relationship on the effectiveness of the School Health and Nutrition Program in relation to the learners’ performance of elementary pupils. A proposed instructional supervisory plan was formulated based on the result of the study.
see PDF attachment for more information