Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Tuesday flagged off a consignment of foodstuffs for the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) public schools in Machakos to bolster early learning.
While speaking at her Machakos office, Governor Wavinya said that the food stuffs consisting of rice and beans would not only boost the children’s physical development but also cushion vulnerable children from adverse effects of hunger as a result of the tough economic times.
“As a mother, a leader, and a mentor to young ones, I would not want any child in Machakos to miss the first steps of their academic journey due to lack of food in school,” said the governor.
The consignment, comprising of 2,055 bags of rice and 1,253 bags of beans, is the second phase of the feeding programme initiated by the county government and comes barely weeks after the governor flagged off a free milk programme for the ECDE centers.
The milk programme launched in Kyamutheke ECDE Centre will, according to the governor, boost nutrition and the overall well-being of the students.
The governor said the food would be distributed across all ECDEs in the nine sub-counties and the portions allocated would depend on the enrollment rate.
Mwala Sub County which had the highest enrollment will receive 450 bags of rice and 200 bags of beans.
Mavoko Sub County which has the least numbers will receive 105 bags of rice and 52 bags of beans.
Others are Yatta 182 bags of rice and 420 bags of beans, Masinga 164 bags of beans and 338 bags of rice, Kathiani 154 bags of beans and 338 bags of rice, Matungulu 75 bags of beans and 182 bags of rice, Machakos 70 bags of beans and 180 bags of rice, Kangundo 64bags of beans and 172 bags of rice, Kalama 54 bags of beans and 108 bags of rice.
Wavinya assured parents of her commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young ones in the ECDE centres saying schools unlock dreams and potentials for learners.
“The school is the critical avenue where intellectual abilities can be nurtured and shaped for future careers and discoveries,” she said.
On her part, Consolata Mutisya the Chief Executive Committee Member for Education (CECM) said the school feeding program has seen an increased enrollment of students in schools.
“We have noted an increase in the number of students. In one school the enrollment surged from 40 students to 100 students after the feeding programme was introduced,” said Mutisya.
By Anne Kangero and Veronica Mbithi
