Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim, on Tuesday, presided over the distribution of milk to Early Childhood Development Education learners in Kaptagat Ward.
This marks the start of the second phase of the groundbreaking school milk program targeting children in the more than 600 ECDE centres across the county.
The program has been ongoing for several months now and it initially targeted 40,000 learners.
Speaking during the event held at Rot-Tuga ECDE, Dr Bii said so far, the program has been a huge success.
He highlighted several achievements of the program among them increased enrolment for the ECDE learners, a decrease in absenteeism and enhanced learners’ retention.
“We have so far given out over 1.8 million packets of milk to the learners under the program,” the Governor said.
Learners in all public ECDEs have been receiving milk twice every week – on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Aside from a boost in the education sector, the Uasin Gishu School Milk program has also had a positive impact on several other key sectors among them the transport industry for individuals that transport the milk to ECDEs.
“Dairy farming has also benefited as more milk is now being taken to New KCC through cooperatives and the economy has benefited from the initiative,” noted Dr. Bii.
He affirmed that his administration would continue supporting the program.
The School Milk Program is one of the Nguzo Kumi pledges that Governor Bii made to locals under the Education pillar.
Earlier the Governor commissioned the modern Rot-Tuga ECDE with a capacity to accommodate over 50 pupils.
Speaking at the same event, Education CECM Anthony Sitienei noted that since the launch of the program, milk has always been delivered on time and without fail.
He noted that the county has invested in the ECDE infrastructure with every public primary school now having at least two classrooms.
“When you see the quality of ECDE classes and those in primary school, you will notice there is a difference. This is why we need to team up with the National Government to ensure a smooth transition from ECDE to Grade 1,” he said.
Chief Officer Education Marion Birgen thanked the governor for confirming all the ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.
Birgen said the county had rebranded the milk program to international standards.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
