Operation Status and Perception for School Gardens According to Program Leader's Dedication in Pocheon City

ABSTRACT

School gardens are known to be effective for increasing vegetable consumption in children. This study was carried out to examine the perception of garden program leaders for actual conditions and barriers to promote school gardens according to their sense of dedication. The 49 garden program leaders at schools and child care centers in Pocheon city were surveyed and grouped into two groups dedicated (57.1%) and less dedicated (42.9%) as program leaders. Compared to dedicated leaders, leaders in the less dedicated group less advocated promotion of school gardens (P<0.001) and were less willing to attend training for school garden (P<0.01), despite less experience as program leaders (P<0.01) and past training (P<0.05). Moreover, leaders in the less dedicated group less acknowledged the educational results of school garden in every aspect (P<0.001, respectively), less perceived support from parents and colleagues (P<0.05, respectively), and less used garden produce in more active activities such as donation and literature (P<0.05, respectively), compared to the dedicated group. The most answered barrier against the promotion of school gardens was work burden, followed by manpower shortage, shortage of technique, knowledge, and information, and time shortage. The results of this study provide evidence that developing strategies is needed to make more teachers and child care providers more dedicated as garden program leaders.