The National Commission for Nomadic Education Kenya (NACONEK) in conjunction with agro-based organizations is piloting the provision of enriched porridge to 600,000 lower-grade learners in 66 sub-counties in ASAL regions and nine informal urban settlements.
The program is in 9 urban slums, Special Needs Education, and drought intervention sub-counties in the country.
The program is funded by the Government through National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK) and also with support from five Partners in agro-based business.
The learners are 9 Urban Slums and Drought Intervention Sub Counties mainly from Arid and Semi-Arid regions in the country.
THE Chief Executive Officer of Naconek, Mr. Harun Yusuf said the porridge is being given as part of the School Meals Programme (SMP) as a midmorning snack to learners in grades 1, 2, and 3 since this is a crucial age for growth and development for children.
Mr. Yusuf made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Education Officer, Ms Beatrice Ooko at Mwangaza Primary School in Isiolo Township in Isiolo County last Friday.
Also present were Managing Director, Tetra Pak Jonathan Kinisu, Regional Managing Director Ingredion, Kennedy Ouma, Director Unibrain, Mr. Oscar Mariesco, and officials from DSM Nutritional Products and Jetlack Food Limited—which support the fortified porridge programme.
The Chief Executive Officer said the Pilot for the ready-to-drink porridge is currently being done in 3 counties of Isiolo, Samburu, and Garissa, and after a review of results, a possible scale will be done.
He added that porridge enhances access of learners to school and also promotes the cognitive development of learners, therefore, enhancing learner performance.
He said the porridge program for learners at lower grades was in addition to the SMP under which all learners in primary school in the ASAL areas and informal settlements in nine urban centers receive food rations as part of the Government policy of access, and ret
Mr. Yusuf said SMP provides 4 food commodities that are cereals at 150g per child per day, pulses at 40 g per child per day, vegetable oil at 5 g per child per day, and salt at 2g per child per day.
He said porridge is the fifth commodity in the food basket and is being provided at 250 ml packet per child per day.
By Our Reporter
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