1. Home
  2. Vol 4, No 2 (2025)
  3. Ximenes

School Feeding Program and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Education: Linking Food Security to Learning Outcomes in Timor-Leste

Salvador Magno Ximenes(1),


(1) Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores (ICFP)
Corresponding Author

Abstract


School Feeding Programs (SFPs) have gained policy relevance in Timor-Leste due to their potential to address educational inequality and student underperformance. This study critically reviews 30 peer-reviewed publications and institutional reports from 2018 to 2024 to evaluate the educational impacts of SFPs. Findings indicate that SFPs significantly improve school enrolment, attendance, and student motivation, particularly in low-income communities. However, improvements in academic performance, such as literacy and numeracy, are inconsistent and largely influenced by contextual variables, including teacher quality and school infrastructure. The review suggests that SFPs are most effective when integrated with broader education reforms such as teacher training and curriculum enhancement. The results support evidence-based policymaking to improve the design and effectiveness of school feeding initiatives, aligning them with the goals of inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4). This article highlights the necessity of complementary strategies to maximize the educational benefits of SFPs in Timor-Leste.

Keywords


Attendance; Cognitive development; Educational inequality; School feeding; Timor-leste

References


Acob, B.H.D., Hizon, Z.J.L., Limbungan, A.K.R., Watiwat, R.E.L.L., and Valdez, A.G. (2024). Enhancement of sensory qualities of papaya leaf extract (PLE) gummy candy. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 31-44.

Ahmed, A. U., Hoddinott, J., and Roy, S. (2022). How effective are school feeding programs in improving learning? World Development, 149, 105689.

Ahsan, M. (2023). Nutrition and dietetics concerning diabetes mellitus: Gestational diabetes mellitus. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 45-52.

Ali, M.A., Kamraju, M., and Sonaji, D.B. (2023). Unraveling the factors behind the soaring tomato prices: A comprehensive analysis. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 85-104.

Ali, M.A., Kamraju, M., and Sonaji, D.B. (2024). Navigating rice export restrictions: The impact of India's policy on domestic and international markets. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 9-22.

Alimi, A.K., and Animashaun, A.W. (2023). Health-related problems associated with women garri producers in agricultural zone. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 23-30.

Awalussillmi, I., Febriyana, K.R., Padilah, N., and Saadah, N.A. (2023). Efforts to improve sustainable development goals (SDGs) through education on diversification of food using infographic: Animal and vegetable protein. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 113-120.

Bundy, D. A. P., et al. (2021). Optimizing education outcomes in high-burden countries: The role of school health and nutrition. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 5(5), 350–362.

Dewi, N.S. (2023). Effect of antioxidant compounds on nitrites as inhibitors of N-Nitrosamine formation: A short review. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 53-60.

Dewi, N.S. (2025). Correlation of metabolomics and functional foods research in 2020 to 2023: Bibliometric analysis. ASEAN Journal for Science and Engineering in Materials, 4(1), 75-86.

Fadillah, A.R., Tenri, A., Choerunnisa, A.S., Putri, T.C.S. (2024). Trend analysis of eco-friendly food packaging among street vendors: A case study in Gegerkalong street, Bandung, Indonesia. ASEAN Journal of Community Service and Education, 3(1), 43-48.

Febriani, D., and Pasaribu, P.T. (2024). Food security strategy through regenerative agriculture for capacity building of farmers with "integrated nutrient management training program". ASEAN Journal of Community Service and Education, 3(1), 49-54.

Gustafsson, M., Patel, D., and Taylor, S. (2022). School feeding and educational access in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 89, 102534.

Haq, M.R.I., Nurhaliza, D.V., Rahmat, L.N., and Ruchiat, R.N.A. (2024). The influence of environmentally friendly packaging on consumer interest in implementing zero waste in the food industry to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) needs. ASEAN Journal of Economic and Economic Education, 3(2), 111-116.

Ibrahim, M.M.M., and Nandiyanto, A.B.D. (2022). Education on the importance of food consumed by breastfeeding mothers and exclusive breastfeeding against stunting prevention through power point media. ASEAN Journal for Science Education, 1(2), 103-112.

Kazianga, H., de Walque, D., and Alderman, H. (2022). School feeding and girls’ enrollment: Evidence from Burkina Faso. Journal of African Economies, 31(1), 1–25.

Keisyafa, A., Sunarya, D.N., Aghniya, S.M., and Maula, S.P. (2024). Analysis of student’s awareness of sustainable diet in reducing carbon footprint to support sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2030. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 67-74.

Kusuma, R.A., Sauma, S., Pradiva, F.T., Damayanti, W., and Lushinta, I.P. (2023). Knowledge of students on about the impact of ice cream consumption on blood sugar. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 71-76.

Mabrukah, S.N., Ramadan, H.A., Al Cholifi, M.R., and Rahmah, A. (2024). Effect of post-harvest storage temperature on physical parameters of cavendish banana (Musa Paradisiaca). ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 75-80.

Makinde, S.O., Olorunnisola, S.K., and Adeyemi, S.A. (2023). Influence of ICT availability, accessibility, and utilization on agriculture students’ academic performance in universities. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 61-70.

Martins, D. (2021). Local agriculture and school feeding synergies. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 42(2), 210–225.

McEwan, P. J. (2021). The impact of school feeding programs on test scores: Evidence from Honduras. Education Economics, 29(2), 121–140.

Najimovich, B.B. (2023). Analysis of the effectiveness of the formation and distribution of financial results of business entities engaged in poultry farming. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 77-84.

Nurnabila, A.T., Basnur, J., Rismayani, R., Ramadhani, S., and Zulhilmi, Z. (2023). Analysis of the application of mediterranean diet patterns on sustainability to support the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs): Zero hunger, good health and well beings, responsible consumption, and production. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 105-112.

Nurrahma, A.H.I., Nuraini, L., Putri, H.H., and Syahadat, R.M. (2024). A bibliometric analysis of seed priming: Global research advances. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 45-56.

Nurramadhani, A., Riandi, R., Permanasari, A., and Suwarma, I.R. (2024). Low-carbon food consumption for solving climate change mitigation: Literature review with bibliometric and simple calculation application for cultivating sustainability consciousness in facing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(2), 261-286.

Pereira, L., and Soares, R. (2023). Student motivation and school meals. International Journal of Educational Development, 97, 102487.

Prakash, K., Rammohan, A., and Sahu, P. (2021). School meals and cognitive performance in India. Journal of Development Economics, 150, 102622.

Rahmah, F.A., Nurlaela, N., Anugrah, R., and Putri, Y.A.R. (2024). Safe food treatment technology: The key to realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) zero hunger and optimal health. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 57-66.

Rahman, K.R., Ramdhani, S., Sanyoto, V.G., and Nawareza, Z. (2024). Smart packaging innovation for food: Enhancing shelf life and quality of perishable goods. ASEAN Journal for Science and Engineering in Materials, 3(2), 133-140.

Rosmayanti, M., and Ratnasari, I. (2024). The effect of electronic word of mouth (E-WOM) on social media tiktok to brand trust and its impact on buying interest in mixue brand ice cream products (Survey on state university students in West Java) . ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 81-88.

Salsabila, Q., Adnin, J., Rochania, T.K.F., and Hibatulloh, A.Y. (2023). Influence of grower agent on growth of bayam (Amaranthus sp.) plants with nutrient film technique in hydroponic system. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 2(2), 121-128.

Sumaludin, M.M. (2024). Culinary tradition of cassava rice in indigenous villages Cireundeu, Cimahi, Indonesia as food security heritage in the era of gastro colonialism. ASEAN Journal of Community Service and Education, 3(1), 55-56.

Wahyuningsih, N., Satibi, A., and Cahyadi, F.D. (2024). Optimizing psychomotor skills through project-based learning in seaweed dodol processing. ASEAN Journal of Agricultural and Food Engineering, 3(1), 1-8.


Full Text: PDF

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 471 times
PDF Download : 203 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Bumi Publikasi Nusantara

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.