A move aimed to enhance school enrollment and improve the overall health of schoolchildren, Salah Yakub, the Member of Parliament for Fafi constituency, has initiated a groundbreaking milk programme. This program aims to provide over 4000 primary and Junior Secondary school children in 28 primary schools across the constituency with two packets of 200ml milk each day during the school week. This announcement comes on the heels of Yakub’s recent launch of a zero-fees program for secondary schools, ensuring a 100 percent transition and addressing the barrier of fees hindering students from attending school.
Quick Summary
- Free Milk for Schoolchildren: Over 4000 primary and Junior Secondary school children in Fafi constituency will receive two packets of 200ml milk each day during the school week.
- Zero Fees Program: The initiative follows the MP’s recent launch of a zero fees program for secondary schools, ensuring a 100 percent transition and addressing financial barriers to education.
- Call for Government Support: MP Salah Yakub urges the government to adopt similar programs for all primary schools, emphasizing the positive impact on school enrollment and children’s health.
Strengthening Education and Health
During the launch event held at Kamuthe Primary School, MP Salah Yakub emphasized the need for the government to extend similar programs to all primary schools, highlighting the potential to not only boost school enrollment but also enhance the overall health of children. He pointed out that the allocation of resources, including teachers and funding from the Ministry of Education, is contingent on the student population. Therefore, an increase in school enrollment would lead to a more robust education system in the region.
Yakub appealed to the government to collaborate with local efforts, envisioning a healthier society and potentially reducing the cost of universal health care by investing in the well-being of children. He stressed the importance of building patriotism from a young age, drawing parallels with the impact of initiatives like the late former President Daniel Moi’s milk distribution, which left lasting memories for many.
Warning Against Misuse of Resources
Bura East Deputy County Commissioner, Thomas Bett, issued a stern warning to teachers and the board of management, cautioning against the selling or diversion of the provided milk. He emphasized their collective responsibility to ensure that the milk reaches the intended recipients – the school-going children. Bett stressed that any deviation from this purpose would result in severe consequences, including punitive actions against those found guilty.
Final Thoughts
Salah Yakub’s initiative to provide free milk to primary and Junior Secondary school children in Fafi constituency is a laudable effort towards enhancing education and promoting children’s health. The call for government support reflects a broader vision of building a robust education system and fostering a healthier society. As this program unfolds, it serves as a testament to the impact that targeted interventions can have on the lives of young learners, creating memories that may last a lifetime. Let us hope that similar initiatives are considered across the nation, contributing to the development of a strong, educated, and healthy future generation.
