Boost for learners as CoG unveils pre-school feeding policy

The quest to keep more learners in school received a major boost following the launch of a transformative school feeding policy by the Council of Governors (CoG) in collaboration with Food For Education.

The document dubbed the Pre-Primary Model School Feeding Policy was unveiled during the ninth Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County and aims to establish sustainable, locally appropriate nutritional programs.

The policy also provides a harmonised, sustainable, and scalable framework for counties to deliver school meals in ECDE centres across the country.

The policy has been developed in collaboration with the Senate, county and national governments, and Food for Education.

According to the guidelines, county governments will integrate school feeding programmes into broader social protection interventions.

The policy requires county governments to promote active community involvement and ownership in the planning, delivering, and overseeing pre-primary education school feeding programmes.

It stipulates that county governments will implement school feeding models that encourage local agricultural production and economic empowerment.

The policy also requires county governments to establish and implement clear institutional and legal frameworks for the coordinated, transparent, and accountable execution of school feeding programs.

County governments will also be required to invest in and maintain safe, well-equipped, and hygienic infrastructure to support consistent and safe meal preparation and consumption in pre-primary education centers.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki launched the policy during the closing session of the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on Friday.

Prof Kindiki said the policy will help to promote education in the country. He hailed it as a game-changer that will help reduce hunger among pupils.

“The policy is good and it will help in promoting the education of Kenyan children. I commend the CoG and other partners for developing it,” Prof Kindiki said.

The CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, said the council is committed to ensuring that all children benefit from the initiative.

Abdullahi emphasized the importance of feeding a child in school.

The CoG chair explained that the policy will help vulnerable children.

“The CoG reaffirms its commitment to ensuring no child is left behind due to classroom hunger. That is why we have developed this policy with our partners to help the children in all our 47 counties,” Abdullahi said.

Shalom Ndiku, the Director of Policy and Relations at Food 4 Education, said it is important for every pupil to take meals in school.

Ndiku said it is important for every county government to set aside funds for promoting a balanced diet in schools.

“Our main objective as an organisation is to ensure all learners get a balanced diet. That is why we are talking to governors and other government officials to ensure there are allocations for school feeding programmes to enhance a balanced diet in schools,” Ndiku said.

If implemented well, all children suffering from hunger in schools will get food. The policy will also go a long way in improving academic performance in schools.