The West Pokot county government has launched the distribution of fortified porridge flour worth Sh25 million for all Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners in the county.
Governor Simon Kachapin flagged off the distribution of 113,650 kgs of fortified porridge flour to 1,185 ECDE centres across the county.
During the launch at the county headquarters offices in Kapenguria town, the governor emphasised that the porridge flour initiative showcases the county government’s dedication to promoting early childhood education and catering to the nutritional requirements of ECDE learners.
‘‘School feeding programmes help to encourage learners to stay in school and ultimately improve retention and transition rates in addition to nutrition across the county,’’ Governor Kachapin stated.
He praised the school feeding programmes, acknowledging their potential to greatly impact the lives of children from underprivileged backgrounds by guaranteeing their access to nourishing meals.
‘‘These programmes not only support their physical health but also enhance their ability to focus and learn in school,’’ he said.
Governor Kachapin lauded the national government for restoring financial support to the school feeding programme, highlighting it as a significant acknowledgment by the government in its dedication to assisting vulnerable communities, particularly those impacted by the detrimental consequences of climate change.
He said that children in many far-flung areas of the region are going through hard times due to the adverse effects of drought, which has been triggered by climate change.
Consequently, he said that it is imperative to provide them with the necessary support to ensure their pursuit of education is not interrupted.
‘‘Having access to healthy meals can help remove obstacles to education in regions impacted by climate change, ultimately boosting the chances of students remaining enrolled and actively participating in their studies,’’ Governor Kachapin said.
The governor urged the county executive committee member for education and other stakeholders to ensure the efficient distribution of the porridge flour to ECDE centres throughout the county in order to ensure the success of the programme.
Furthermore, the county boss emphasised the importance of ECDE teachers using the porridge flour appropriately and avoiding wastage, while also ensuring that it is stored safely to prevent contamination.
He disclosed that the county government is planning to build school storage facilities to safeguard food for the school feeding programme, which will guarantee the longevity and efficiency of the project.
The governor mentioned that the county is developing a service scheme for all ECDE teachers to improve their working conditions.
He advised the teachers to be patient as the county finalises the enhancements to their terms of service.
“1600 ECDE teachers have been issued personal numbers as they await the implementation of their service, and we urged them to be patient as the county government works on their promotions,’’ he said.
Rebecca Kide, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education in West Pokot, thanked the governor for prioritising early childhood education through initiatives such as the school feeding program.
Kide stressed that by allocating resources to early childhood education, the county is not only offering crucial learning experiences to children but also laying a strong foundation for their future educational endeavours.
She reassured parents that the porridge flour provided is safe for their children, highlighting its nutritional value with ingredients like sugar, corn, soybeans, and essential vitamins and minerals beneficial for children’s health and development.
“The fortified porridge flour is sufficient and has enough nutrients that are needed for an early childhood education learner,’’ he said.
Emily Ogolla, the Assistant County Commissioner of West Pokot sub-county, expressed her appreciation to the county government for their contribution to the national school feeding programme.
She thanked the governor for donating porridge flour to ECDE learners and acknowledged the importance of having porridge available in ECDE centers throughout the county.
ACC Ogolla emphasized that this provision would lead to increased school enrollment and improved health and well-being for children.
She also commended the county government for their dedication to ensuring that all children in the county have access to education.
By Anthony Melly and Agneta Chebet
