Administration of the School Lunch Program in Schools under the Saraburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

Background and Aims: The objective of this research is to study and compare the levels of opinions of personnel regarding the management of the school lunch program in educational institutions under the Saraburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, categorized by position and school size. Additionally, the research aims to explore the management approaches for the school lunch program in these institutions. Methodology: The sample used in this research consisted of 313 participants, selected through stratified random sampling. The research instruments included a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire with an Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) value ranging from 0.80 to 1.00 and a reliability coefficient of 0.83, as well as a structured interview form. The data were analyzed using statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test. Results: Research findings revealed that: 1. The overall management of the school lunch program in educational institutions under the Saraburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 2 was rated at a high level. When considered by individual aspects, all areas were rated highly. 2. The management of the school lunch program in these institutions, categorized by position, showed no significant differences. 3. The management of the school lunch program, categorized by school size, showed no significant differences overall. However, there were differences in the aspect of service quality. 4. Guidelines for improving the management of the school lunch program in these institutions suggest that efforts should focus on providing continuous health services and student nutrition care. This should be integrated with agricultural, food, and health education to promote learning. Additionally, measures for sanitation should be enhanced, such as controlling pests and insects that transmit diseases, and promoting strict personal hygiene among students. In terms of nutrition, the management system should be improved to ensure that students receive a balanced and sufficient diet. Furthermore, in the areas of finance and budgeting, it is important to allocate funds according to the program's objectives and support resources for teaching and kitchen operations to elevate the overall quality of the program. Conclusion: The management of the school lunch program should include continuous care for students' nutrition and health, with an emphasis on integrating agriculture, food, and health. Sanitation measures and disease prevention should be strengthened, while the management system should be developed for greater efficiency. Budget allocation should align with the program’s objectives, and resources should be allocated to enhance the overall quality of the school lunch program.