In a bid to increase education attainment by retaining learners in school, the County government of Nairobi has signed a school feeding program agreement with the Ministry of Education.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja have entered an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement (IPA) on the School Feeding Programme for Public Primary Schools in Nairobi.
The signing which took place on Monday afternoon was also witnessed by Cabinet Secretary for Treasury Prof. Njuguna Ndungu.
As per the IPA, Ksh1.7 billion for the program shall be drawn from both the Consolidated Fund and the County Revenue Fund.
According to the treasury CS, the feeding program will have a ripple effect on the economy, increase education attainment for improved human capital and improve smart agriculture in the supply chain.
Machogu said that his ministry will expand the program to other counties.
“The program will go a long way in attracting and retaining learners in school and improving the learning outcomes,” he said.
Governor Sakaja said the program had already led to the improved enrolment of children in schools in Nairobi by 15 percent, saying it’s a program aimed at transforming education.
Under the agreement, Sakaja’s administration will be responsible for ensuring monies assigned for the program are protected and timely payments to suppliers and service providers made to ensure the sustainability of the program.
“The Nairobi county government will also develop the requisite infrastructure for the preparation, transportation, distribution, and serving of hot meals to the learners in a timely manner that does not hinder other school programs,” reads the agreement.
The national government will provide a budget for the implementation of the program as per the financing framework, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of this agreement.
By Thuita Jaswant
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