THE national government has allocated Sh400million to finance the sanitary towels programme in primary schools, Education Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi has said
He said thousands of girls miss lessons because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
Kaimenyi was speaking during the Kajiado County Education Day at Isinya Multipurpose Development Centre yesterday.
He urged girls to pursue education to the highest levels, saying early marriage stunts their potential.
Kaimenyi said the government will establish Special Needs Identification Centres throughout the country to screen children.
He said experts from the centres will look into the nature of the need of a child and make proposals for special support and provisions.
"The government will provide the needed support and special pedagogical assistance as early as possible to prevent the pupils' academic failure and other negative developmental consequences," Kaimenyi said.
He asked parents to ensure children with disabilities access equal privileges like the rest.
"Parents with children with disability should not hide them from the public. Do not deny them the chance to access some of the support programmes offered by the government and development partners," Kaimenyi said.
He said teachers should not force pupils to repeat classes.
