MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE (MANOVA) AND HOTELLING ANALYSIS ON SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Gender disparities in education remain a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with girls disproportionately affected by socioeconomic barriers to schooling. In response, governments and development partners have implemented school feeding programs (SFPs) as incentives to improve access and retention. Secondary data from 16 selected public primary schools in Chikum Local Government Area of Kaduna State, covering three years before (2012-2014) and three years after (2016-2018) the introduction of the SFP, were analysed using Hoteling’s  test and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to assess male and female enrolment trends jointly. The analytical framework treated male and female enrolment as a bivariate  response vector, with a two-group design (before vs after SFP) yielding  groups,  year-level observations, and  discriminant dimension. Findings revealed a statistically significant increase in joint enrolment following the introduction of SFP The Hoteling’s  statistic ( . Female enrolment recorded a larger proportional gain (34%) thsn male enrolment (20%), suggesting that the SFP contributed to narrowing the gender gap in primary school participation. The study recommends sustained funding, community engagement, and integration with complementary educational interventions to consolidate program gains.