Feeding programme in Kajiado County has increased enrolment in public primary schools and relief to children who missed school because of lack of food.
According to Kajiado North Sub-County Education Director, John Njoroge, the enrolment figures stand at 18,794 in second term, up from 15,688 before the start of the school feeding programme.
Njoroge attributed the increased enrolment to availability of lunch time meal for primary school going children.
He said most of the children in public primary schools come from poor families that struggle to get a meal per day.
“The school feeding programme is a relief to several children who normally sacrifice their school going days to work in order to get food,” said Njoroge.
Head teacher, Alexander Lang’at for Ngong Township Primary School, Kajiado County told KNA during an interview at the School Friday that the school feeding programme has reduced absenteeism among the pupils.
Lang’at lauded the programme and noted that all the pupils can now concentrate in school without thinking of missing lunch time meal.
He said the start of school feeding programme saves children from wasting learning hours by going to work in order to buy food.
“Most of the children in Ngong Township come from informal settlements within Mathare and Gichagi in Ngong, where most families are struggling with low income to put food on the table,” said the Headteacher.
He said lunch time meal increases pupil’s concentration and also boost performance since the pupils are able to concentrate in class.
Lang’at noted that the parents contribute only Sh. 4 per day to allow the school cater for meal preparation and pay the workers.
School feeding programs is an initiative by the Ministry of Education through the World Food Programme for public primary schools in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas.
By Nelly Kosgey /Njeri Murungi
Feeding Programme increases School enrolment in Kajiado
