Category: Education

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Tuesday flagged off a consignment of foodstuffs for the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) public schools in Machakos to bolster early learning.

While speaking at her Machakos office, Governor Wavinya said that the food stuffs consisting of rice and beans would not only boost the children’s physical development but also cushion vulnerable children from adverse effects of hunger as a result of the tough economic times.

‘As a mother, a leader, and a mentor to young ones, I would not want any child in Machakos to miss the first steps of their academic journey due to lack of food in school,’ said the governor.

The consignment, comprising of 2,055 bags of rice and 1,253 bags of beans, is the second phase of the feeding programme initiated by the county government and comes barely weeks after the governor flagged off a free milk programme for the ECDE centers.

The milk programme launched in Kyamutheke ECDE Centre will, according to the governor, boost nutrition and t
he overall well-being of the students.

The governor said the food would be distributed across all ECDEs in the nine sub-counties and the portions allocated would depend on the enrollment rate.

Mwala Sub County which had the highest enrollment will receive 450 bags of rice and 200 bags of beans.

Mavoko Sub County which has the least numbers will receive 105 bags of rice and 52 bags of beans.

Others are Yatta 182 bags of rice and 420 bags of beans, Masinga 164 bags of beans and 338 bags of rice, Kathiani 154 bags of beans and 338 bags of rice, Matungulu 75 bags of beans and 182 bags of rice, Machakos 70 bags of beans and 180 bags of rice, Kangundo 64bags of beans and 172 bags of rice, Kalama 54 bags of beans and 108 bags of rice.

Wavinya assured parents of her commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young ones in the ECDE centres saying schools unlock dreams and potentials for learners.

‘The school is the critical avenue where intellectual abilities can be nurtured and shaped for future
careers and discoveries,’ she said.

On her part, Consolata Mutisya the Chief Executive Committee Member for Education (CECM) said the school feeding program has seen an increased enrollment of students in schools.

‘We have noted an increase in the number of students. In one school the enrollment surged from 40 students to 100 students after the feeding programme was introduced,’ said Mutisya.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kakrao Technical and Vocational College (TVC) needs more infrastructure to cater to the growing number of students enrolment in the Migori-based institution.

The TVC is one of the fastest growing technical centers in Migori County serving more than 1000 students from the South Nyanza region but lack of infrastructure may slow down its progress in giving out education skills.

The institution which is still being mentored infrastructural-wise by Rongo University has grown since 2014 and is currently offering more than 40 different courses in Agriculture, Business, and Engineering among others.

However, according to the Kakrao TVC Principal, Engineer Flex Odhiambo, the institution needs at least three projects to cater to more than 1000 students currently enrolled in the institution.

Odhiambo said that the institution requires tuition, workshops, and milling blocks to host key learning materials for the betterment of the technical education skills being offered in the center.

‘We need a tuition block to hos
t business and general service courses and a workshop to host the Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering equipment for our engineering students’, noted Odhiambo.

The Principal, however, acknowledged that the Ministry of Education has graced the institution with milling and processing plants but the lack of a Milling block to host the equipment for teaching was still a challenge.

He noted that the institution can have a milling block in place for food processing and packaging.

However, The Public Investment Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education Chaired by Hon Wanami Wamboka while touring Rongo University on Wednesday to assess the progress of stalled projects recommended that all projects being overseen by Rongo University be reverted and handed back to the management of Kakrao TVC.

Currently, the stalled projects at the TVC which were being implemented by Rongo University include the construction of the Twin Workshop, classrooms, and office block that is largely being funded by the Suna East-
National Government-Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF).

Odhiambo affirmed that the funds that were required to complete the projects from the CDF were 10 Million, disclosing that already some funds have been allocated for this financial year.

The inspection visits by the PIC at Rongo University also aimed to establish the reports of the Auditor General for the financial years of 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 on issues of stalled projects and analysis of work remaining in the lecture halls and water treatment plant projects at the institution.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has kicked off its second round of outreach and mentorship programme aimed at scaling up the uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related subjects by Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners.

According to the Special Programmes and Student Learning coordinator at CEMASTEA, Mrs Beatrice Macharia, the outreach which focuses on making the learning of STEM subjects more student-centred will remedy some of the stereotypes associated with mathematics and science subjects among learners at the very early stages of their academic life.

‘The role of CEMASTEA is to work with the teachers to come up with innovative teaching and learning activities that can promote STEM education. At the same time, CEMASTEA works with the students through the STEM outreach programme to showcase STEM activities that enhance learners’ creativity and innovativeness in the way they do the science,’ said Mrs Macharia.

Special Progra
mmes and Student Learning coordinator noted the program will aid in the effective implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).

Mrs Macharia said that whereas the country was gearing up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution which will rely heavily on science and technology, the percentage of students in the country pursuing STEM-related careers is very low.

To address the shortage, the coordinator says, the mentorship will inspire the current crop of JSS learners to take up the STEM Pathway once they transition to Senior Secondary School in 2026.

‘Our focus this year is JSS because of the transition to the STEM pathway where we expect 60 per cent of the learners to take up the STEM pathway at the Senior Secondary Schools,’ she said.

‘We must therefore work extra hard to ensure that our JSS learners have interest in STEM subjects at this level so that it will help them to take up STEM-related areas when they get to Senior School,’ she added.

Mrs Macharia was speaking in Nyeri County during the f
irst day of the outreach and mentorship programme at Ithenguri Primary and Junior Secondary School. During the session, the JSS learners and their teachers were taken through practical applications in the areas of Mathematics, Integrated Sciences and Technology with Mrs Macharia underscoring the need for improvisation as a means to enhance perception among the learners.

‘We have been able to teach both the learners and the teachers to improvise some of the resources using locally available materials. So you can help the learners understand the concept without a big lab,’ said Mrs Macharia.

Jecinta Kibebe, a Mathematics and Business Studies teacher at the school lauded the program which she said would aid in enhancing the learning experience for the learners.

Jecinta said; ‘I have realized that I can improvise the readily available material to be able to help my learners understand the concept.’

Her sentiments were echoed by Peter Wamaathai, an English and Literature teacher at Ihwagi Junior Secondary Scho
ol in Mathira sub-county. For Wamathai the outreach has exposed him to innovative teaching strategies which he said will help in simplifying some of the concepts that learners find difficult to understand.

‘CEMASTEA has brought a difference to what we normally teach and also they have exposed our learners to various fields in Science, Mathematics and Computers. In terms of Technology, we have been shown how we can use robotics to teach some of the concepts, maybe in Mathematics, Science or any other learning area,’ he said.

In 2023, CEMASTEA piloted the programme in 21 schools in Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru, Kisumu and Kakamega counties.

In Nyeri, the week-long exercise will be conducted in Ithenguri, Ihwagi, Muna-ini, Kiahuko and Ihururu Junior Secondary schools.

Besides Nyeri County, the centre is also targeting to reach a total of 25 schools in Kilifi, Uasin Gishu, Baringo and Garissa Counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei wants the disbursement of bursaries to be centralised in order to enhance equity and transparency

Cherargei noted that so many children from vulnerable families have not yet reported to various school due to lack of funds, yet we have county bursaries, National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and bursary from the ministry of education.

Speaking at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton during a consultative meeting with stakeholders on the status of devolution in Nandi County, the senator said he plans to table a Bill seeking to harmonise bursaries to ensure free and fair process during the distribution of the money.

‘We should agree that reforms regarding bursary distribution is now a priority so that we can achieve 100 percent transition. Our children have become beneficiary of charity. It has reached a point we must fundraise for them in order to report to school. That’s not acceptable,’ he said.

Cherargei stated that most parents spend time looking for
these bursaries in various offices without success, thus need to co-mingle all those bursaries to ensure deserving students get help.

The senator also supported the move by the education ministry to have parents of students in national schools pay fees through the e-Citizen platform

He argued that the one-stop transactions will help eliminate all indirect charges that have been illegally introduced by certain institutions, fight corruption, promote transparency and accountability

‘The best way to fight corruption is to ensure all payments for government services are made through the e-Citizen portal for accountability and to track the revenue of the country,’ he said

According to the Government, the Directorate of e-Citizen has set up a payment collection process that is convenient and transparent to ensure that principals will be able to access funds received for their schools promptly and in full.

To ensure a smooth roll out, the new payment system will be implemented in phases beginning with National
schools and subsequent extending to Extra County and County schools.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Two secondary schools in Kenya will benefit from a programme which targets secondary school scholars in Africa to support them achieve high levels of creativity, innovations and other modern technology avenues.

The two schools are among other institutions in Africa to benefit from a programme by an international and energy infrastructure multinational promoting innovation, creativity and excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

The STEAM programme is designed by Sahara Group (SG) and is being implemented through its two subsidiaries -Asharami Synergy Kenya and Sahara Group Foundation.

The two subsidiaries, held a Kenyan Demo Day Event that featured students from St. Georges Secondary School and Olympic High School from Nairobi County.

Sahara Group Foundation Director Ms. Ejiro Gray said that the Demo Day showcased a diverse group of young Kenyan problem solvers with brilliant prototype designs, aimed at tackling prevalent social issues in their communities.

‘The progr
amme is focused on equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to create innovative solutions, addressing real-world problems across various sectors such as energy, agriculture, security, healthcare and transportation,’ said Ms. Gray.

She added, ‘The programme is instrumental in creating a pipeline of Africa’s next generation leaders and social innovators.’

Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The Sahara STEAMers programme, an afterschool initiative in partnership with STEMCafe, was established in 2022 with the primary aim of fostering innovation, creativity and excellence in STEAM education in secondary school students in Africa.

Collaborating in teams, these students passionately presented their innovative solutions to a panel of judges.

Ms. Gray commended the students’ intelligence, creativity, and passion, especially for those who encountered their first expos
ure to technology and its practical applications in addressing real-world challenges.

The company has operations in 38 countries across Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia continents.

Ms. Gray affirmed that the inspiring display witnessed at the event was not just a moment, but a clear demonstration of the unwavering commitment of both Sahara Group Foundation and Asharami Synergy Kenya to empower young minds across Africa, fostering a future generation ready to lead with innovation, compassion, and lasting impact.

Adebola Adesanya, Country Manager of Asharami Synergy Kenya, emphasized the program’s vital role in nurturing young talents and building their innovative skills.

He stated, ‘We can never understate the importance of innovation and creativity, which is the essence of the Sahara STEAMers programme. The solutions presented here by all the students are real-time solutions to our problems in Africa today, and I am greatly impressed by their creativity skills.’

Source: Kenya News Agency

Mount Kenya University is steadily scaling the heights of academic research and innovation excellence, gaining recognition as being among the top institutions of higher learning locally and abroad.

The university has been ranked among the top 10 best universities and the second-best private university in the country out of the 124 universities, according to Webometrics global universities ranking.

In the continent, MKU ranks at position 258 out of more than 2,000 universities and 151 among the 1,393 colleges in the Sub-Saharan region.

Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi attributed the university’s steady progress to the academic programmes they offer as well as the research projects commissioned and completed.

‘The ranking is a true reflection of the efforts that the university has put towards enhancing teaching and learning, research and innovations,’ said the VC.

He added that the ranking has improved due to the growth in the number of external networks of their research projects (subnets) l
inking to the institution’s webpages.

He said the institution has also gained mileage on the transparency and openness ranking due to the presence of top-cited researchers and increasing citations from the top 210 authors due to increased investment in research and innovation.

He also cited the growth in top cited papers from its scholars, ranking it amongst the top 10 percent most cited in each one of the 27 disciplines of the full database.

The University Deputy VC, Academic and Research, Dr. Mercyline Kamande, attributed the growth in research and innovation to the continued mentorship and training of postgraduate students.

She said the university will continue implementing different strategies that will ensure holistic student growth by mentoring innovators who upon graduation, will become job creators or venture into gainful employment and wealth creation opportunities.

‘Since the establishment of a college of postgraduate studies where scholars write publications, we have seen a tremendous improvem
ent in research and innovation,’ said the VC.

Additionally, MKU Medical School is ranked as the leading training institution among medical schools in East Africa, according to EAC Partner States Medical Practitioners Boards and Councils.

‘Students choose to study at MKU because it is among the top-ranked universities nationally and regionally. MKU has gradually grown to be a respected brand. We top the list of science-offering private higher education institutions, according to CPS International,’ Dr. Kamande said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

In order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery, the Ministry of Education has aligned its strategies, activities and budget with the national government.

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ezekiel Machogu, speaking during the presentation on Draft National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP) 2023-2027, at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, observed that the stakeholder comments, will be considered and included before the final document is published and disseminated during the launch, tentatively slated at end of February 2024.

‘The draft is as a result of three working workshops, held prior to today’s validation, which was all inclusive, to reflect the wishes of the strategic partners and stakeholders,’ said the Minister.

The CS who is the vision carrier of the Ministry, guided through a chapter to chapter review of the document, capturing and incorporating missing links, to comprehensively consider the change from 8-4-4 to CBC system and how to mitigate challen
ges in the increased numbers to attain 100 per cent transition.

The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang said the Strategic Plan, equally doubles as an investment document and not to be another shelving document, in the performance process.

‘This is a very critical time for all of us, given the educational reforms that are going on and, therefore, mapping ourselves properly into this reforms, will enable us to look forward to what we want to do in the next five years,’ the PS said

Kipsang expressed confidence in the NESSP, saying it was quite inclusive, since it brought together strategic partners and development partners, who contributed to the document on the way forward.

The PS affirmed that the document will culminate to an investment document, such that when going into engagement as an investment document, then it’ll be easier to move forward.

He challenged the stakeholders to think of how to achieve the objectives and key targets with view of a joint sec
tor review, reflections and move forward, based on knowledge from previous strategic plans.

‘I’ll be requesting my colleagues in ICT, to automate the process to see achievements of the key targets given in a process,’ said the PS

Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Beatrice Inyangala termed presentation of the final draft, as the foremost blueprint for the next five years, envisioning an increase in access and participation in University Education.

She emphasized the Departments effort in enhancing mainstreaming of open distance learning in university education, after the government established the National Open University, which has so far admitted 1,500 students for those excluded from conventional institutions, due to rigid conditions, including locations and social economic backgrounds.

The PS recognized the role that partners and stakeholders continue to play in ensuring that the Ministry attains as a whole.

She acknowledged the need to embrace strategic partnership and collab
orations in key emerging areas such as the digital technology and research, where others have made more strategic leaps and lie ahead to achieve goals and make a great contribution to the economic transformation of the country.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Cases of school going- children who lack birth certificates are on the rise, affecting issuance of Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) number, that the government solely recognizes in offering education support.

Pokot South Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), David Boen, is now calling on parents, to ensure their children are duly registered and issued with a birth certificate for smooth rendering of government services.

Speaking during a public participation engagement forum, held at Sekution village in Pokot South Constituency, Boen underscored the importance of a birth certificate in governmental functions, particularly during the enrolment process of children in schools.

He informed that registration of children helps in planning for school’s capitation by the government.

The DCC clarified that in the event of a low number of learners registered with the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), the government’s allocation of funds for educational support, specifically in terms
of capitation fee, would also be reduced.

‘So, we request residents of Moreso from Sekution location, which is far away from government offices, to come and process birth certificates for their children,” urged Boen.

And in order to support the community in obtaining birth certificates for their children, the DCC proposed coordination with the registration office, on how to take the registration services closer to the community.

Salina Cheptoo, the Head Teacher of Sondany Primary School, expressed her concerns regarding the challenges they faced in obtaining funds from the government for school operations.

”The challenges mainly arise due to lack of birth certificates among learners, which is a mandatory requirement for NEMIS registration and subsequent release of funds,” she said.

The Head Teacher said that there are only a few learners at her school who possess birth certificates, while the majority of them do not have the crucial document.

”Around a quarter of the student’s population does not po
ssess birth certificates,” Cheptoo said.

Therefore, the biggest challenge the school faces is reduction in capitation fee, which the school gets, owing to the small number of children who have been captured by NEMIS because some lack the necessary documentation, she added.

Meanwhile, the lack of birth certificates among many children in the region, is primarily attributed to the far-off distant location from the Registrar of Parsons’s office, which compel residents to undertake long journeys in order to acquire the crucial government services, including acquisition of birth certificates

Cheptoo lamented that accessibility to the Registrar’s office is further hindered by the existing poor road network in the area, even the number of individuals in search of birth certificates in the region continued to increased, leading to a significant backlog at the local registration office.

”Some residents have actually lost faith in the entire tedious process of getting a birth certificate,” noted the Head Teacher
.

To enable parents to obtain birth certificates for their children without having to travel for undue long distances, Cheptoo is now urging the Kenya Kwanza government to delocalize the process, so as to ease congestion at the County Headquarters.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Efforts by the government in North Eastern region to mop up students who had not reported for form one and grade 7 have yielded fruits, resulting into an increase of transition rate from 83.4 percent to 96 per cent.

Already, Mandera and Wajir counties have achieved 100 per cent transition rate, while Garissa is lagging behind at 88 per cent, representing 1,418 students who are yet to join form one.

Fafi and Bura east sub counties in Garissa have already achieved 100 per cent reporting rate for Form one students, especially with zero fees program being championed by Fafi MP Salah Yakub, where students apart from having their total school fees paid, also receive school uniforms, boxes, shoes and other personal effects.

Speaking in Dadaab town during a meeting with the National Government Administrative Officials from Fafi, Dadaab and sub counties, North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno urged local chiefs and their assistants to put more efforts to ensure that the remaining students report to school
by Monday next week.

Otieno warned that letting students roam in the villages exposes them to the risk them of being recruited into terror groups, thus making it hard for the government to completely root out violent extremists from the region.

The Regional Commissioner further said the government has already released the capitation funding by the ministry of education, while the constituency development fund bursaries are being offered by the area MPs, hence there was no reason whatsoever keep any child out of school.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Njoro Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Charity Kathambi, has urged parents to prioritize education of their children in a bid to nurture a future generation that is empowered to bring a positive impact to the society.

According to Kathambi, the investment will see to it that they lay a strong foundation, for the society to prosper in different sectors.

‘By investing in the education of our youth, we firmly believe that we are laying the foundation for a society that is not only knowledgeable, but also empowered to create a positive change, ‘ she noted.

Addressing parents and guardians at Njoro Boys High School after commissioning six new classrooms, Kathambi, assured the parents and guardians of her commitment towards transforming education standards in the area, through the various ongoing and completed school projects, such as construction of classrooms through NG-CDF kitty.

She also launched Changerian flag at the school, meant to give the Institution a new face from the past.

The logo of the
flag is an eagle to symbolize their effort in soaring above academic storms, hence a motivation to a better performance.

The MP further underscored the need for every parent to ensure that every children goes to school, while urging those financially challenged, to utilize the available bursary kitties.

She called for provision of equal opportunities to all the Kenyan children, to help them maximize on their God given potential and turn their dreams into reality.

‘Our children require the necessary support to overcome future hurdles in life, thus we are obliged to give them the right avenue to explore and provide lasting solutions to societal problems,’ said Kathambi.

Source: Kenya News Agency