The Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has affirmed the government’s effort is retaining girls in both primary and secondary schools.
Speaking during the handing over of sanitary towels donated to the Ministry of Education (MoE) by the US Government (USAID Kenya, East Africa), the CS said the Government through the ministry is determined to ensure 100 per cent access, retention, completion and transition of girls in schools from primary to secondary level.
He further added that the government has set aside funds for sanitary towels programme to ensure that girls are retained in schools and absenteeism is reduced.
“In the current 2023/2024 financial Year, the government allocated KSh940 million to the sanitary towels, the highest since the programme was introduced,” said Machogu.
Due to this programme, girls now enjoy equal access to quality and relevant education like boys, irrespective of their socio-economic status. The sanitary towels intervention is there to address the need s of many girls at the verge of menstrual cycle in schools whose greatest challenge is absenteeism due to their reproductive health issues.
“Additionally, the provision of sanitary towels to many needy girls has reduced dropout rates leading to girls completing their education and has significantly improve their performance,” said the CS.
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The Education CS further applauded USAID, the Embassy of US and the people of USA for donating 171,000 packets of sanitary towels to the MoE to benefit vulnerable girls in Primary and Secondary schools in Kenya.
“In 2022, USAID supported the MoE with 4,152 bales of sanitary towels which were distributed by the County Director of Education in 19 counties. This ensured that girls were in schools during the critical time of preparation and sitting of the national examinations. This has complemented the Governments effort to ensure that girls are kept in schools,” Machogu said.
The CS also added that the MoE has a long standing partnership with the USAID in various programmes that have supported the Government in the education sector. The USAID in its effort to support the Government provided 80 high quality beds in county high school in Garissa Country to reduce congestion in dormitories.
The Tusome programme in primary schools has improved literacy and numeracy in the primary education.
Additionally the government in collaboration with the USAID is planning to construct sanitation block in four primary schools in Kilifi, Isiolo, Nakuru and Kakamega.
“Kenya Primary Literacy Programme (KPLP) is a new programme set to run from 2023-2028. It is built upon USAID’s successful partnership with the MoE, KPLP will build capacity, ownership and resilience across Kenya’s education system,” Machogu confirmed.
The US Embassy consular General, Deborah Miller applauded the Government for eliminating taxes on the essential products, funding schools programmes and engaging communities to support girls’ education.
“This comprehensive approach goes beyond education. We are focused on breaking down barriers in all aspect of life,” Miller said.
By Brian Ndigo
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