Kisumu County Government has procured learning materials worth Sh19.8 million for distribution to ECD centers in the area.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the materials which include 19,794 textbooks, 151,254 exercise books, 50,000 pencils and 50,000 erasers will benefit a total of 43, 640 learners.
In a speech read on his behalf by Acting County Secretary (CS) Ms. Judith Oluoch during the flagging off ceremony for the materials, Nyong’o said his government was committed to strengthening ECD education in the area to build a strong foundation for learners to tackle modern day challenges.
The materials targeting 687 ECDE centres, he said were a big relief to parents who hitherto could not afford to procure them due to tough economic times, adding that the materials were set to arouse curiosity in learners and help them develop skills to adapt to the fast-changing world.
Teachers, he added would also benefit through attaining valuable information on various topics to support their professional development.
“We do not procure these materials for their aesthetical value or to conform to some procurement or budgetary dictates but because of their critical contribution to the early learners’ growth,” Nyong’o said.
The Governor asked those charged with the distribution of the materials to exercise high levels of integrity and ensure they reach all the earmarked institutions. Quality ECDE, he said was key in the realization of sustainable development goals calling for prudent expenditure of resources allocated to the sector to achieve set goals.
“True meaning of early childhood education aims at total child development, in a learning environment that is joyful, child-centered, playful and activity based. It is expected to provide necessary maturational and experimental readiness to the child for meeting the demands of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC),” he said.
His government, he added would scale up investments in the sector to allow all children to access free, equitable, inclusive and quality ECDE.
By Elsie Adhiambo and Felicia Wanyonyi
