Addressing Overcrowding in School Canteens: Impacts, Strategies, and Student Perspectives

A research proposal submitted by:

Barcelona, Neil Ryan Andrei A.

Bermas, Carl Marx A.
Gangan, Brandon Boyd S.
Manalansan, Hazelyn Melo S.
Manalo, Thrixie Joyce B.
Peñada, Jozhe Aeman M.
Peralta, Janiya G.

Grade 10 – Our Lady of Lourdes

Science 10

Mrs. Rossiel R. Dela Cruz

November 7, 2023
 Addressing Overcrowding in School Canteens: Impacts, Strategies, and Student

Perspectives

Introduction

School canteens serve as vital spaces within educational institutions, providing students

with access to nourishing meals and opportunities for social interaction during mealtimes.

However, the issue of overcrowding in school canteens has become a prevalent concern,

impacting not only the quality of students' dining experiences but also their overall well-being

and dietary habits. The bustling, crowded nature of these spaces can lead to numerous challenges

that need to be addressed comprehensively. This research endeavors to explore the issue of

overcrowding in school canteens from various perspectives, investigating its impacts, strategies

for mitigation, and the valuable insights of students.

Overcrowding in school canteens has multifaceted consequences. It affects the speed and

efficiency of food service, resulting in longer waiting times for students. Furthermore,

overcrowded spaces can lead to a stressful dining environment, discouraging students from

taking their time to enjoy their meals. The hurried atmosphere may also influence dietary

choices, potentially leading to less nutritious selections due to the rush. Social interactions,

which are an important aspect of canteen time, can suffer in overcrowded settings, limiting

opportunities for students to connect with their peers.

Recognizing these challenges, this research aims to address the issue of overcrowding by

examining its impacts, potential strategies for mitigation, and the perspectives of the individuals

most affected: the students. We seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue and,
ultimately, contribute to the creation of more conducive, healthier, and socially enriching school

canteen environments.

This thorough analysis highlights the effects that overcrowding can have on students'

physical and emotional well-being but also offers strategies to create more spacious and efficient

dining areas. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of involving students in this discussion as

they are the ones who navigate these crowded spaces daily. By considering their needs and

perspectives, the goal is to create a dining atmosphere that's more focused on student comfort

and ultimately improves the overall school experience.

The hypothesis guiding this research is that implementing effective strategies to alleviate

overcrowding in school canteens will lead to improved student experiences, healthier eating

habits, and a more conducive environment for social interactions during mealtimes. By exploring

this hypothesis, we intend to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of various strategies that

can mitigate overcrowding and evaluate their impact on students' overall well-being and dining

experiences.

This research seeks to provide practical insights and recommendations for school

administrators, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested in addressing overcrowding in

school canteens. By analyzing the issue from multiple angles and involving the perspectives of

students themselves, we hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse on creating better and more

efficient school dining environments, ultimately fostering a positive influence on the educational

experience of students.
Statement of the Problem

The school canteen is where most students go to eat. However, this becomes an issue

because, at school, the schedule for break time is the same for all students, and this then becomes

a cause for crowding. Students arrive late to class because of the long lines, and lines themselves

become disorderly because of the few students that cut in line.

This study sought to answer the following questions:

1. How do we optimize the huge lines in the canteen during the break time?

2. What is the optimal break schedule for each grade level of students?

3. How will we stop students from cutting in line?

Primary Objective

The primary objective of the research is to investigate the issue of overcrowding in

school canteens comprehensively. Assess the impacts of overcrowding in school canteens,

identify effective strategies for alleviating overcrowding, and gain insight into the perspectives

and experiences of students affected by overcrowded canteens.

Specifically, the research aims to achieve the following:

1. To optimize when a grade-level batch will take their break time.

2. To prevent the huge lines that form during break time.

Scope and Limitation

This study focuses on the problems encountered during break time because of the large

number of learners present and all grade levels having the same break schedule at San Ildefonso

College.
Hypothesis

Implementing effective strategies to alleviate overcrowding in school canteens will lead

to improved student experiences, healthier eating habits, and a more conducive environment for

social interactions during mealtimes."

This hypothesis suggests that by finding and implementing strategies to reduce

overcrowding in school canteens, positive outcomes can be achieved, such as better student

experiences, improved dietary choices, and a more socially supportive atmosphere during

mealtimes. The research aims to test and provide evidence for this hypothesis.

Addressing overcrowding in school canteens through strategies, as informed by student

perspectives, will lead to reduced stress levels among students, more efficient lunchtime

routines, and an improved sense of well-being, ultimately enhancing the overall school

experience.