The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Simon K. Chelugui today oversaw the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State Department for Social Protection led by the Principal Secretary Mr. Nelson Marwa and Kenya School of Government (KSG) led by the Director General Prof. Ludeki Chweya.
The MOU institutionalizes the introduction of a Social and Child Protection Curriculum at the Kenya School of Government which officers involved in the Social and Child Protection Systems shall undergo to better their mastery of knowledge and procedures in their public service.
The Curriculum shall specifically offer programmes dubbed as Social Protection Curriculum and Child Friendly Budgeting. The programmes have seen the training Trainers of Trainees in both fields as an accurate preparation for the dissemination and improvement of the service delivery in the social and Child Protection Systems.
At the KSG, the Trainers of Trainees shall work alongside the experienced social protection practitioners in the training of the officers who shall include the Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Principal Secretaries, government officers at the National and County levels and Development partners involved in the Social and Child Protection systems.
Speaking during the signing of the MOU at the Ministry’s headquarters at NSSF Building, CS Chelugui appreciated the development of the curriculum, saying, “Skills and capacity gaps in social and child protection in Kenya is a reality that cannot be overlooked or wished away due to the numerous emerging issues and varying social dynamics and trends.”
He added, “This in itself presents an active demand for a robust capacity development strategy that would go into ensuring that the various child and social protection practitioners at various levels are constantly and regularly equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to synchronize with the ever rising dynamics.”
The CS emphasized on the appropriateness of the programmes saying, “The development of these programmes and their subsequent institutionalization at the Kenya School of Government, is indeed a significant achievement in guaranteeing the integrity, quality and sustainability of the Social Protection programs.”
Prof. Chweya reiterated on the need to have a locally developed curriculum that is more targeted to respond on the public service delivery needs in the Social and Child protection system.
He expressed his appreciation to the State Department for trusting and believing in the KSG as a center to help better Kenya’s Social and Child Protection agenda.
The CS also thanked UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) who were both represented by their various Deputy County Representatives Mr. Jean Lokenga and Mr. Calum Gardener respectively, for the great support that they have given not only at this point but throughout the execution of the Social and Child Protection Systems.
The Chief Administrative Secretary Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Patrick ole Ntutu who spoke during the event said, “The Curriculum will go a long way in empowering the officers in the Child and Social Protection systems to improve their capacities and expertise in the field.” He also appreciated the support given by the development partners.
WFP Representative Mr. Calum in his remarks congratulated the Ministry for developing a curriculum that would be specific and strategic to the country’s need.
He further said that WFP is committed to supporting further the realization of the ministry’s social and child protection agenda.
UNICEF Representative Mr. Lokenga said, “This programme is historical and Kenya is showing leadership in the region in seeking to have a permanent and qualified Child and Social Protection workforce.”
He also said that UNICEF is committed to supporting the government in its social and child protection endeavors.
Also present at the event were, Director, Department of Children Services Mr. Noah Sanganyi, Director of the National Social Protection Secretariat Mrs. Cecilia Mbaka, Director of Department of Social Development Mrs. Josephine Muriuki, Director of the Human Resource Mrs. Jacinta Meeme and Director Academic Affairs at the KSG Dr. Josephine Mwanzia among others.
By Bernadette Khaduli
