The Ministry of Education has commenced assessing schools in the Kerio Valley region to determine which are not benefiting from the school feeding programme.
The move aims to keep more children in school by addressing food insecurity, a significant factor contributing to school dropouts in the region.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang’ noted that more than 20,000 students in the county are currently benefiting from the cash transfer program.
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Speaking during the prize-giving and Thanksgiving Day for AIC-sponsored schools held at Moi Girls Kapsowar, he said the government aims to ensure that students have easy access to food, thereby enhancing school retention.
Plans are also underway to establish peace schools and convert some institutions into low-cost boarding schools. This would provide a conducive learning environment where children from different communities can learn together, fostering unity and reducing conflicts over natural resources such as water and pasture.
The government believes that education will help children broaden their perspectives and allow them to see life beyond resource-based conflicts in the valley.
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“So that children of all communities who are having challenges can learn in peace by staying together and understanding that they are one,” he added.
Dr Kipsang added that The Presidential pronouncements on education in the Kerio Valley remain in force, and more teachers are being recruited.
The PS encouraged parents to guide their children toward careers in teaching to ensure that the region has educators who understand local challenges and culture.
Furthermore, a regional centre will be established to identify and support children with special needs. This center, to be set up in Uasin Gishu County, will conduct early assessments to identify children with disabilities and ensure they receive the necessary support to benefit from education.
“Early assessment will help identify children living with disabilities so that we can align them with the appropriate education services,” said Dr. Kipsang.
By Kimutai Langat
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