School Feeding Program To Retain Learners In Class

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Faith Kenya Mission has embarked on a school feeding program in informal settlements and areas worst hit by drought to cushion pupils from hunger.

The organization is distributing food to vulnerable pupils in Nairobi, Makueni and Kajiado counties in an effort to retain them in class.

The organization’s Project Manager Monica Wakahiu said many parents are unable to provide food to their children and they subsequently go to school hungry making it hard for them to concentrate in class. This, Wakahiu added results to the learners’ dismal performance in national examinations.

Wakahiu revealed that a properly fed pupil is able to concentrate and perform well and the school feeding program will ensure an increase in enrollment, retention and completion rate in primary schools.

“Many parents lost their jobs during the Covid-19 period, the on-going drought in many counties has also worsened the situation as they are unable to provide food for their children. Pupils go to school hungry thus unable to concentrate in class,” said Wakahiu.

Wakahiu added that the situation was dire especially in arid and semi-arid areas and provision of food in affected schools will improve the nutritional status of the pupils thus boosting their health.

Gertrude Musau, Marketing Manager Faith Kenya Mission reiterated Wakahiu’s sentiments adding that the organization will continue providing food to pupils during the November to December examination period.

Musau added that one way of ensuring that pupils stay in school was by ensuring that they are provided with food and water.

“We are focused on improving literacy in schools through provision of books and food to pupils in vulnerable communities and providing water to communities in arid and semi-arid areas like Makueni and Kajiado,” she said.

According to Nancy Kago, Headteacher Kibera Primary School, many pupils from informal settlements can go a day or two without a proper meal thus cannot concentrate in class and this affects their overall performance.

Kago called on the government to re-introduce the school feeding programme to schools in vulnerable areas to ensure the pupils enroll and stay in school.