INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION ON QUALITY OF PRE-PRIMARY IN TURKANA CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Nurturing care plays an important role in enhancing the quality of pre-primary school education. However, in Turkana Central Sub-county, the quality of preprimary school education is a challenge. Many pre-primary school learners manifest low basic numeracy, language and creativity skills. Purpose: This study assessed the influence of nutrition on the quality of pre-primary school education in Turkana Central Sub-county, Turkana County, Kenya. The study was guided by the motivational theory and theory of all-round educational quality. Methodology: A mixed methodology was applied and the concurrent triangulation design. Data analysis began by identifying common themes from the respondents’ descriptions of their experiences. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the use of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables. Findings: The study established that nutrition practices and provision of opportunities for early education improve the quality of education. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Thus, the study recommends that the government should partner with stakeholders in pre-primary school education and other donors to provide resources such that there is a guarantee of supply of food ration to learners.