Bomet Rolls-Out Phase-2 Milk Programme For ECDE Learners
Professor Hillary Barchok, Governor of Bomet, has launched phase two of the school milk program, which aims to provide nutritional value while also motivating young learners in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
When the county announced its plan to build more ECD centers a year ago, it noted that along with better learning facilities for children, there was also a need to ensure good nutrition as it was essential for their development.
The county, in collaboration with World Vision, had already established a milk processing plant at Chebunyo in Chepalungu Sub County in order to add value to the county’s milk products.
During the plant’s opening, the governor promised that children would receive free milk on a daily basis as part of the county’s larger plans to increase enrolment in the ECDE centers.
Speaking at the launch of phase two of the program at Cheswerta Primary School, Barchok stated that it was critical to consider adding nutritional value to these young learners across the county’s 1,121 ECDE centers and motivating them in their learning.
“At their tender age, young learners we have in our 1,221 ECD centres across the county must be given a little refreshment to keep them going in class until they go back to their mothers. This adds both nutritional value to their lives at the same time motivating them to come to school,” explained Governor Barchok.
According to the County Department of Education, approximately 56,570 students would receive milk twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, under the program.
This school milk program will directly benefit youths from the boda boda industry, in addition to early learners.
The Education Department has signed an MOU with 200 riders chosen from registered Sacco across the wards to provide transportation to the ECDE centers on a monthly rotational basis, bringing the total to 1200 riders in six months. The riders will be able to make a living from the program thanks to the MOU.
“We will also give our youths from the boda boda sector a chance to better their lives. The Department of Education has signed a memorandum of understanding, around 1200 riders will be deployed to offer transport service of this milk to different ECDE centres across the county,” said Prof Barchok.
53,000 young learners have benefited from phase one of the program since its inception.
