Investigating selected stakeholders' perceptions in the implementation of national school nutrition programme : a case study of three primary schools in the King William's Town education district

Abstract

The main focus of the study was on investigating the perceptions of selected stakeholders in the implementation of National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in the King William’s Town Education District. The emerging demand placed on stakeholders to act as organizational agents of NSNP at schools, prompted the need to determine if the working practices and relationships were healthy enough to act on their roles. Also it prompted the need to find out whether decision making, participation and involvement were exercised among the group of selected stakeholders in the district.The study of collegial, participation and policy formulation models provide a lens for understanding the dynamics of the team and the interactions between and inter-relationships amongst the members. These models were concerned with how the district coordinators of the NSNP interact with those below them in power. It aims to find out if ‘being listened to’ and ‘having a voice’ were some features that existed in the communication strategies used by the district coordinators. The implication is that not only is it necessary to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to express their views, but to ensure their ‘voices’ will be considered when decisions are made.