The County Government of Siaya's Department of Education, Youth Affairs, Gender, and Social Services, led by the Chief Officer for Education and Training, Mr. Richard Ogeda, convened a consultative meeting to discuss the upcoming ECDE school feeding programme.
This session brought together key stakeholders, including the County Director of Education, Mr. Mbugua Kabaki, and Sub-County ECDE Coordinators, alongside representatives from key partners such as KMET and Smart Start Siaya. The meeting was a critical step in addressing outstanding issues and ensuring the successful rollout of the programme.
The ECDE school feeding programme, set to be officially launched by Governor James Orengo on January 27, 2025, intends to provide fortified porridge to over 45,000 learners in more than 700 public ECDE centres across Siaya County. This initiative underscores the county’s commitment to improving early childhood education by addressing nutritional challenges that hinder learning and development. The programme promises to significantly enhance learner attendance, concentration, and overall performance in these foundational institutions.
Mr. Ogeda explained that schoolteachers would act as accounting officers responsible for managing funds collected for the feeding programme. This approach is intended to uphold accountability and transparency, ensuring parents and stakeholders have confidence in the financial management, resource allocation, and overall implementation of the initiative. Additionally, he acknowledged the concerns raised regarding standalone ECDE centres and assured stakeholders of further consultations to address these specific needs effectively.
Mr. Kabaki highlighted the division of responsibilities between the National and County Governments, noting that while the ECDE function is devolved, the National Government retains the mandate for policy formulation, quality assurance, monitoring, and evaluation. He emphasised the importance of leveraging this arrangement to develop county-specific solutions to local challenges. Furthermore, he urged coordinators to familiarise themselves with the Basic Education Act 2013 to ensure alignment with national standards and to strengthen their understanding of its relevance to early childhood education.
In closing, the meeting underscored the collaborative effort required to make the ECDE school feeding programme a success. Partners such as KMET and Smart Start Siaya pledged their support to the initiative, emphasising the collective aim of improving educational outcomes for young learners. This engagement reflects the County Government of Siaya’s holistic approach to addressing education and nutrition, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive learning environment.