Residents in Kisii County have lauded President Ruto’s government for factoring in funds for school feeding programmes in public schools in the fiscal year 2023/24 Budget.
Led by Amos Chuma, the residents said that the move will provide ready market for agricultural products such as maize, wheat and bananas in the county.
“This will provide local markets because schools will purchase the locally available foodstuff,” he said.
Chuma said the programme will also lead to retention of pupils in schools and prevent teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
He noted that most learners hardly get three meals a day, which reduces their concentration in class.
The residents said that the programme will also create job opportunities as schools will hire more cooks, schools guards, cleaners and caterers.
Some parents opposed the programme saying that it is not a priority at this time when the country needs more teachers to cater for the ever increasing number of children in schools.
“We witnessed a similar programme that provided milk to pupils without employing enough teachers and the move diluted education standards in the county,” said Patriciah Nyanchama, a parent.
She also cited the promise to provide laptops to all primary schools that ended up being a white elephant.
By Enock Okong’o
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