Nyamira County has expanded investments in education infrastructure, digital learning, school feeding programmes and vocational skills development as part of efforts to improve access to quality education and address youth unemployment, Governor Amos Nyaribo has said.
Speaking during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, Governor Nyaribo highlighted key achievements made by his administration in strengthening the education sector across the county.
Among the flagship initiatives is the construction of additional classrooms in primary and secondary schools to accommodate the growing number of learners under the Competency-Based Education curriculum (CBE) and the government’s 100 per cent transition policy.
The governor noted that increased enrolment had placed significant pressure on existing facilities, leading to overcrowding in many schools. To address the challenge, the county government has partnered with the national government and National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) offices to finance the construction of new classrooms.
According to Nyaribo, the projects have eased congestion in schools, improved learning conditions and enhanced access to education for learners in remote areas, including Manga, Borabu and West Mugirango.
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The county has also intensified efforts to promote digital literacy by supporting the installation of computers and internet connectivity in selected Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and primary schools.
The initiative complements the national Digital Literacy Programme and aims to equip learners with essential technology skills from an early age. Teachers have also undergone ICT training to enable them to integrate digital tools into classroom instruction.
Nyaribo said the programme is helping bridge the digital divide between rural and urban learners by exposing pupils to computers, coding concepts and online learning resources.
To improve attendance and learning outcomes among young children, the county has continued implementing a school feeding programme targeting ECDE learners.
Under the programme, children receive nutritious meals, including porridge, beans and vegetables, during school hours. The governor said the initiative has contributed to increased enrolment, reduced absenteeism and improved concentration among learners.
He added that the programme has also eased the burden on parents, particularly those from vulnerable households affected by food insecurity.
In a move aimed at promoting nutrition and sustainability, the county has encouraged secondary schools to establish kitchen gardens for the cultivation of indigenous vegetables such as managu, terere, sagaa and kunde.
The produce is used in school feeding programmes, helping schools reduce food costs while providing students with nutritious meals. The gardens also offer practical agricultural training and help preserve traditional food crops.
Governor Nyaribo further urged school leavers and unemployed university graduates to consider enrolling in technical and vocational training institutions to acquire market-driven skills.
He said technical education remains a critical avenue for addressing youth unemployment by equipping young people with practical competencies that complement academic qualifications and respond to labour market demands.
The county government, he added, will continue supporting programmes that enhance education outcomes and empower young people with skills needed to participate effectively in the economy.
By Enock Okong’o
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