Turning pages, changing lives: Siaya learners get a literacy boost

Walter Okello Mentorship Programme patron, Walter Okello, during the book donation drive at Nyalula Primary School in Siaya county./Faith Matete

An initiative aimed at strengthening literacy and encouraging positive learning habits among young people has been launched in Siaya County, with education stakeholders expressing hope that it will help address both the poor reading culture and rising cases of student unrest in schools.

The programme, spearheaded by the Walter Okello Mentorship Programme, kicked off at Nyalula Primary School, where hundreds of curriculum-based textbooks were donated to learners and teachers.

The books are part of a larger consignment of 4,000 textbooks acquired through a partnership with the Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), which will be distributed to learning institutions across the county.

Speaking during the launch, the programme's patron, Walter Okello, said the initiative was informed by growing concerns over declining literacy levels among learners and the limited availability of reading materials in many homes and schools.

Walter Okello Mentorship Programme patron, Walter Okello, during the book donation drive at Nyalula Primary School in Siaya county. Faith Matete

According to Okello, many children are increasingly reading only when preparing for examinations, a trend that has weakened the culture of reading for knowledge and personal growth.

"Many learners today focus mainly on passing examinations. Reading as a habit is slowly disappearing, yet it is critical in shaping informed, creative and responsible citizens," he said.

He attributed the challenge partly to the economic hardships facing many families, noting that parents often struggle to purchase supplementary books because household necessities take priority.

Book donation drive at Nyalula Primary School in Siaya county./ Faith Matete

The situation is further compounded by shortages of learning materials in public schools, where available textbooks are shared among large numbers of pupils.

Okello said the mentorship programme hopes to bridge this gap by ensuring more learners have access to books while also promoting reading clubs within schools.

Beyond improving academic performance, he noted that encouraging students to engage in reading during their free time could provide a healthy outlet for stress and contribute to a more positive school environment.

"We believe that nurturing a reading culture can also help learners manage the pressures they may face in school. Through book clubs and regular reading, students can develop constructive ways of spending their time and expressing themselves," he said.

Nyalula Primary School Head Teacher Edwin Omutaha welcomed the donation, describing it as timely support for schools grappling with inadequate learning resources.

He said that while the government provides textbooks, the supply is often insufficient to meet the needs of schools with high enrolment, and replacing worn-out books can take considerable time.

"Our school has a large learner population, and access to enough textbooks remains a challenge. This donation will go a long way in improving learning and supporting our teachers in delivering lessons effectively," said Omutaha.

Parents also praised the initiative, saying it would ease the burden on families already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Judith Onyango, a parent at the school, said many households cannot afford additional reading materials despite recognising their importance in their children's education.

"Books have become expensive for many families. When organisations come in to support schools in this way, they help ensure our children do not miss learning opportunities because of financial difficulties," she said.

The mentorship programme plans to extend the distribution exercise to primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Siaya County in the coming weeks as part of its broader effort to promote literacy and educational excellence among young people.

Education stakeholders hope the initiative will not only improve academic outcomes but also inspire a new generation of readers equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in life.