The Meru County government has officially launched the distribution of fortified porridge flour to support the ECDE feeding programme in 784 public centres for Sh 54 million.
The initiative is meant to ensure that young learners receive the essential nutrition they need to stay energised, attentive and ready to learn.
The fortified porridge flour will be distributed to all ECDE centres in the county.
Speaking at the County government headquarters, Governor Isaac Mutuma said some marginalised areas are prone to poverty, noting that in some seasons, learners suffer starvation as a result of massive crop failure.
He regretted that many families find it very difficult to sustain their children in schools, forcing the devolved unit to intervene.
He said the programme will involve rolling out the delivery of hygienically and safely packed fortified quality porridge flour to all public ECDE centres in Meru County.
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”In this financial year, the County government of Meru has set aside Sh 54 million to implement this program. The program is set to benefit 784 public ECDE centres with a total population of 63,946 who are in PP1 and PP2. Each student is expected to be provided with a mug of fortified porridge on a daily basis,” said Governor Mutuma.
He added that the implementation of school meals and nutrition programme has been a long journey, which started with the identification of the need through public participation of CIDP and then slotted in the annual development plan.
”The policy was prepared and passed by the County Assembly of Meru, and a budget was set aside. This policy gave guidelines on how the porridge flour was to be procured, distributed and managed at the school level. This has made the whole process legal and successful,” said Mutuma.
He further stated that the main aim of the programme is to increase enrollment, retention and transition of the pupils in public schools as well as improving the health of learners.
”My administration is committed to providing quality ECDE education to all. No child dream shall be limited by hunger,” he noted.
By John Majau
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