Thousands of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) learners have received a major boost after Kisumu county government distributed foodstuff worth Ksh14 million.
Speaking during the flagging off of the consignment, the county Deputy Governor (DG) Mathew Owili said the food will benefit over 50,000 learners in Kisumu Central, Seme, Muhoroni, Nyakach, Kisumu East, West and Nyando sub counties.
“This will be followed by distribution of learning materials worth Ksh20 million to the same centers. It is their obligation as the county government to ensure all children access quality education while distribution of food is given priority,” he said.
Dr. Owili noted that the county started the feeding programme in 2015 to provide meals to ECDE children to improve performance and increase enrolment and retention among ECDE learners.
“This has been an effort to mitigate challenges facing children from poor families in rural areas and informal settlements in urban areas who face food insecurity, high malnutrition and stunted growth among others,” he said.
He said that since good nutrition enhances learning and holistic growth, they have maintained support for ECDE schools by supplying rice and oil to complement parents’ efforts.
“I therefore ask our teachers and the general public to keep vigil and ensure the foodstuff reach the children and integrity and transparency is practiced,” he said.
Dr. Owili called upon stakeholders, NGOs and well-wishers to contribute in their own ways to the course.
He noted that the county has 686 ECDE centres with 629 anchored in primary schools and 57 as stand- centers; and a total enrolment of 50,724 children where 22,180 are girls and 28,544 are boys.
By Fredrick Odiero
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