Governor Charity Ngilu interacts with Light Academy pupils at her office on Wednesday. Ngilu has announced plans to start feeding program in public primary and secondary schools starting January next year. [Photo: Kituionline.com]
Governor Charity Ngilu has pledged to start feeding programmes in all public primary and secondary schools from January next year in efforts to boost education standards in Kitui County.
Ngilu says that many students, especially from poor families, skip school because they cannot afford food and other basic necessities.
Speaking at her office on Wednesday when she hosted students from Light Academy, Ngilu said that her government will set aside a budget for school feeding program.
Governor Ngilu also disclosed that her administration is reaching out to sponsors and well-wishers to come out and help feed school going children.
“We have great plans aimed at improving our education standards and ensure that our children have access to education for economic development,” she said on Wednesday.
Ngilu noted that education standards in the country have been deteriorated over the past years. She attributed the county's poor performance in the national examination to extreme poverty and lack of learning material in many schools.
The governor said that her administration will establish Early Child-Hood Education Centers (ECDs) in every ward.
Ngilu said that education is the only tool that can be used to wipe out poverty in Ukambani region.
She urged elected leaders in the country to support her agenda and help empower the community through education. The Governor at the same time warned parents who are denying their children education saying they risk arrest.
The Kitui county boss said that every child who has reached school-going age must be taken to school.