Nutrition impact on academic performances of primary school children

Abstract

Researches say, children who miss schools frequently, often fall behind.  Regular attendance is generally considered a prerequisite for attaining desired academic learning level (Aucejo & Romano (2016); Gottfried (2010, 2011); Gottfried & Kirksey (2017); Kirksey (2019); Morrissey et al., (2014). A major cause of school absenteeism in the government schools located in urban areas like Delhi is health issues caused by low immunity and nutritional deficiencies. UNICEF in its report published in May 2022 mentioned that children below the age of five in India are severely affected by malnutrition, which is the most in the world. Psychologists believe that development in all aspects is interrelated across the domains. Students' growth is directly affected by their nutrition, which in turn is influenced by the socioeconomic status and nutritional awareness. Nutritional deficiencies impact the academic performances of children (Michelle D. Florence, Mark Asbridge, Paul J Veugelers 2008). This research paper tends to draw the relational impact of nutritional deficiencies on educational performances and school absenteeism in students. It is a comparative study of primary school children from a government and a private school. The data was collected using a questionnaire, which was followed up by a focused group discussion with children. An interview of in-service school teachers was also conducted to validate the findings of the research. Therefore, this study assesses nutritional health and food accessibility among students. This study also critically analyses the mid-day meal scheme of the government and explores the gap between the idea and its implementation.