Nairobi — Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has unveiled sh100mn for free ECDE program for Nairobi County Children.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch, Sakaja said the aim is to double the number of children enrolled in public ECDE in Nairobi from 30,000 to 60,000 within the year; and then to grow as quickly as possible after that.
"We start today with 30,000 pupils in our public pre-primary schools. Each will have 3,200 shillings set aside," he said.
"A total of KShs 100 million will be set aside for the boards of these schools to use according to the guidelines already agreed and in force."
Sakaja added that the funds will be managed by the ECDEs boards of management.
He added that the county government plans to build 5,000 classrooms in partnership with the National government who will construct 3,500 and 1,500 by us.
"We allocated Ksh100Million for the construction and rehabilitation of ECDs and vocational training centres," he added.
The county boss added that the county government will continue to recruit new ECDE teachers so that they can make up the numbers they need for the policy's success.
Sakaja also unveiled sh31mn subsidy for Vocational Training Centers in the County.
The amount will cater for 2,000 Trainees in 7 vocational training centers, namely; Bahati, Dandora Greenlight, Mathare, Mathari, Waithaka, Kangemi, and Kiwanja.
"I am delighted to announce that we're also launching the Subsidized Vocational Training Centers' Support Grant from the National Government of KShs31 million to cater for 2,000 Trainees in 7 vocational training centers," he said.
On June 19, Sakaja unveiled a sh1.2 bn food subsidy program that is set to benefit 250,000 children in the county.
According to Sakaja, there will be central kitchens within Nairobi for the school feeding program.
The Governor indicated that the Kitchens will be constructed in Dagoretti North, Embakasi Central, Embakasi South, Kasarani, Kibra, Makadara, Starehe, Roysamu, Ruaraka, and Westlands Sub-counties starting tomorrow.
"Nutritious meals will be cooked in these central kitchens and the meals transported in special sealed containers and special vehicles to keep the meals safe from contamination, and keep them warm, to surrounding schools," he said.
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"Each kitchen is expected to produce about 10,000 nutritional meals daily."
Sakaja added that parents will pay sh5 for each learner daily while the County Government of Nairobi will cater for the other costs.
He stated that the School Feeding Program dubbed 'Dishi na County' aims to feed children enrolled in public primary schools and public ECD Centres.
"As the Governor of this City, my vision is for this program to improve the nutritional status of the learners and to encourage students to attend school, leading to an increase in enrollment, performance, and transition to higher levels of education," he said.
"We have a responsibility to our children. And that is what Dishi na County aims to feed about 250,000 children in Nairobi County enrolled in public primary schools and public ECD Centers."
