Garissa launches feeding programme in 200 schools

Garissa has started a programme that aims to retain 17,000 children affected by drought in school.

The school feeding project in partnership with the World Food Programme will cover children in 200 schools.

Governor Nathif Jama said the programme was welcome as drought ravages the county following five failed rain seasons.

Education is among the sectors hard hit by the drought.

“This is one very important exercise that will go a long way in not only ensuring that school retention is achieved but also ensuring that the children do not study on an empty stomach," Jama said.

"The timing is also right considering the biting drought and famine that we are going through as a region that has made life unbearable for our people.

“We call upon all stakeholders to support us in our efforts to improve Early childhood education and promote sustainable development in our county and our country.” 

The governor spoke at Yathrib Primary School where he launched the Garissa County Early Childhood Development and Education Policy on Wednesday.

Jama said the county has significantly invested in the ECDE sub-sector in terms of infrastructure, personnel, play and learning resources.

This is in an endeavour to enable all learners realise their full potential, he said.

Jama thanked the WFP for supporting education.

He directed school heads and local administrators to work together and ensure that all children of school-going age are enrolled in school.

Some of the challenges the county is facing in implementing effective early childhood education include inadequate teaching and learning resources, socioeconomic factors, high teacher-pupil ratio, poor remuneration, financial constraints and insecurity.

Jama said his administration was committed to providing holistic, coordinated and integrated quality ECDE services by addressing these challenges.

He said there was a need for a policy framework to provide guidelines and standards for improving provision of quality ECDE services as stipulated in the Constitution.

“We have developed the Garissa county ECDE policy to contribute to Kenyans' commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education particularly target 4.2 on ensuring all girls and boys have access to quality, early childhood development care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education,” Jama said.

WFP deputy country director Emmanuel Bigenimana said ECDE is a vital step in hastening access to free and compulsory basic education.

He said quality education is the foundation for improving lives and sustainable development.

Bigenimana said WFP focuses on the growth and development of young children through the provision of quality meals, health and nutrition.

“We believe that every child deserves a quality education and we are committed to making it a reality in Garissa county. Effective implementation of the policy will enhance access, retention, equity and completion rates at the ECDE level," he said.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya