Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has today launched the Garissa County Early Childhood Development and Education Policy.
The Policy was unveiled this afternoon at Yathrib Primary School at a ceremony attended by Governor Nathif Jama and WFP Deputy Country Director Mr. Emmanuel Bigenimana.
The Policy which was developed with assistance from WFP provides standards and guidelines for ensuring the provision of inclusive quality ECDE services.
“Our policy focuses on the growth and development of young children through the provision of quality meals, health, and nutrition,” he said adding, “effective implementation of the policy will enhance access, retention, equity, and completion rates at the ECDE level”.
The Governor’s sentiments were echoed by the CECM Education and ICT Hon. Ebla Minhaj who said the county government was committed to making quality ECDE education a reality.
She noted that the ECDE sector still faced numerous challenges like inadequate learning and teaching resources, socio-economic factors, high teacher/pupil ratio with poor remuneration, financial constraints, insecurity and recurrent drought.
“Nevertheless, the County Government is committed to providing holistic, coordinated and integrated quality ECDE services by addressing these challenges,” she said.
On his part, Mr. Bigenimana said WFP had assisted the county develop the policy to contribute to Kenya’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education, particularly targeting 4.2 on ensuring all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
Today’s function was also attended by Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, CECM Education Hon. Ebla Minhaj, CECM Gender &Youth Hon. Hawa Abdi, Hon. Ebla Minhaj CEC Education, Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun, and a host of members of the county assembly led by Speaker Abdi Idle and Majority Leader & area MCA Hon. Abubakar Khalif among others.
WFP delegation included Manager Resilience Ms. Caroline Muchai, Manager Capacity Strengthening Mr. Benard Nyatuga, Yussuf Ali – Head of Garissa Field Office and Philip Looniyo – Programme Policy Officer among others. Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi – Head of Unicef Garissa Office was also present.
Via Garissa Governor’s Press.
