Bomet County has restarted its milk feeding program for preschool students after a one-week delay due to late funding from the National Treasury.
This initiative aims to address malnutrition and increase school enrollment and attendance, with the county government supplying each nursery school pupil with two free packets of milk weekly.
Addressing the delay, Alice Ngeno, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Youth, Sports, and Vocational Training, reassured the public that the program is back on schedule. She encouraged parents to enroll all eligible children in their respective Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers to help the county government plan for the anticipated increase in students in future school terms.
“We faced a minor delay in the milk program because of the late release of funds to counties by the National Treasury. However, we are now back on track and dedicated to ensuring that children receive their milk rations without further disruptions,” Ngeno stated.
The free milk initiative aims to lower dropout rates among young students. High poverty and food insecurity are significant factors contributing to school absenteeism, as many families in Bomet County struggle to provide adequate nutrition for their children. Such programs are crucial for improving both health and educational outcomes in the region.
Launched in February 2022, the milk feeding program targets around 54,000 children in public schools and homes for children with disabilities in Bomet County. It was introduced in response to alarming malnutrition rates, which stand at 36 percent in the county, significantly above the national average of 26 percent.
In addition to the milk feeding program, the county government has made progress in early childhood education by investing in infrastructure and teacher training.
Ngeno announced that this financial year, 50 new Early Childhood Development (ECD) classrooms have been built to create a better learning environment for young students, along with training for teachers.
“We have constructed 50 new ECD classrooms that will be inaugurated in the coming weeks. Additionally, we are providing essential learning materials to ensure our children receive quality education from an early age,” she said.
Ngeno also mentioned that the County Education Department is implementing a retooling program for ECD teachers to equip them with modern teaching methods, aiming to enhance the learning experiences for children.
With these initiatives, the Bomet County government hopes to improve educational standards and provide young learners with a solid foundation for future academic success.
