Lodwar, 17th December, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Government of Turkana has flagged off 7916 bags of fortified porridge, targeting 156,500 learners across the 1,085 Early Childhood Development Education Centres.
Speaking at National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB), Lodwar, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Sports and Social Protection, Wiljustus Lopeyok said the porridge supply will help increase enrollment, transition and retention of young learners in the Centres.
“The first phase of distribution is meant to ensure food is readily available in schools before they open for the first term next year. The supply is enough for the first two terms before any other support is sought. And this is aimed at keeping the young learners in school throughout the year to avoid disrupting their learning throughout the year,” he remarked.
He asked the Sub-county ECDE Directors and Coordinators to ensure there would be transparency and accountability for the porridge delivered to their respective areas.
The County Executive commended Mary’s Meal for its commitment to supporting timely supply of food, complementing government’s efforts in ensuring young learners are in the centres throughout school calendar.
Similarly, CECM Lopeyok lauded the support of UNICEF, Save the Children, JICA, Diocese of Lodwar in equal measure in matters Education in the county.
He further called on the parents to help their children discover their talents outside academic fields, saying that with the country embracing a competency-based curriculum, learners were bound to exhibit their talents.
On the same breath, Paul Lodunga, who is the Chief Officer for Education and Social Protection, assured the general public that the food supplied was safe as public health officers certified it fit for human consumption.
Chief Lodunga advised teachers manning ECDE Centres to diligently adhere to the recommended storage procedures to preserve and maintain porridge’s nutritional value.
He said, “the 1,600 bags of porridge will be transported for distribution in Turkana central and 656 bags for Turkana East, in addition to 150 bags earlier on transported. Other Sub-counties will later benefit in the second phase.”
Accompanying the CECM were the Members of County Assembly Committee on Education, Sports and Social Protection led by their chairperson,Michael Aemun, who is also MCA for Kaputir Ward.
