Fredrick Odiero
The Kisumu County Government has dispatched learning materials worth Sh25 million and assorted foodstuff worth Sh17 million meant to benefit at least 50,000 learners in public ECDE centers.
While flagging off the foodstuff, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili said that the gesture was in line with the policies of Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang Nyong’o.
Speaking during the flagging off ceremony at the Governor’s office, Dr. Owili affirmed the county government’s responsibility was to ensure quality education and accessibility to the children adding that the initiative would go a long way in improving the their learning and performance in school.
Owili said the learning materials and the foods tuff are essential in meeting the county’s consistent and assured commitment in supporting early childhood education.
He said that the county government in 2015 set up a sustainable ECD feeding program to encourage enrollment and facilitate school.
The Deputy Governor said the programme supports and benefits 673 centers with a total enrollment of 51,408 pupils of whom 25,266 are girls.
“Of the 673 ECD centers, 660 are anchored in primary schools and 13 are stand- alone public ECD schools,” he said.
He further said that the school feeding program plays a key role in helping children realize their potential both for themselves and for their community.
He said the strategic move is anchored in the Early Childhood Education Act 2021 that outlines the involvement of the county governments in terms of health and rights to early childhood education.
Among those present during the ceremony were the County Executive Committee member for Education Mr. John Awiti and the Chief Officer Madam Penina Onyango among other county officials.
Awiti said the County government is committed to giving young children a proper base as they prepare for higher education.
On his closing remark, he said that the development of a child starts from the formative stages in life which should be taken care of.
