Govt to Address Education Challenges in ASAL Regions
The Government of Kenya has taken the initiative to tackle the challenges that hinder the access of children to quality education in Arid and Semi-Arid areas.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, made this commitment during a meeting with the members of the Kenya Pastoralist Parliamentary Group (KPG) on Wednesday.
The patron of KPG, Ali Raso Dido, who led the delegation, pointed out that prolonged drought has had a negative impact on the delivery of education services in pastoral communities.
Dido emphasized that the school feeding program in ASAL areas has helped to attract and retain children in school. However, the shortage of teachers in the area has further hindered access to quality education.
The CS assured that the government has established the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya, which provides structures and support for education in all ASAL and marginalized areas.
The government runs the School Meals Program, which according to Machogu, helps to attract and retain children and enables them to learn in the area.
The CS also stated that the government is exploring ways of providing opportunities for prospective teachers from the area, such as training and deployment, to address the severe shortage of teachers in the region.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Water to dig boreholes in schools in the region, to ensure that learners have access to a reliable source of water while at school.
The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, addressed the fear that children from pastoral communities are denied admission to national schools.
He assured that the top five KCPE candidates from every sub-county are admitted into schools of their choice and that this policy has ensured that top learners in KCPE can be admitted into national schools from each sub-county.
Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary for University Education and Research, advised the members to sensitize their constituents about the scholarship program that the ministry provides in partnership with foreign governments.
She stated that the ministry receives scholarships for bright students, but only those who applied for them are considered.
In conclusion, the Government of Kenya is making significant efforts to address the challenges that hinder the access of children to quality education in Arid and Semi-Arid areas.
The government’s commitment to provide support and resources to education in these areas is commendable and will go a long way in ensuring that children from pastoral communities have access to quality education.
Govt to Address Education Challenges in ASAL Regions
