Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative Susan Ngugi has supported Igakiramba Primary School in Magutuni with a 5,000-litre water tank and food supplies to strengthen the school’s newly launched feeding programme.
During a visit to the school, Ngugi donated a 210-litre cooking sufuria, 100 kilogrammes of rice and beans, 20 litres of cooking oil, onions and tomatoes to support the feeding programme for two weeks.
Ngugi said the initiative would ease the burden on parents who have been required to provide foodstuffs such as maize and beans for their children.
She said school feeding programmes were important in improving pupils’ attendance and enrolment, particularly among children from families facing financial difficulties and unable to provide regular meals.
“School feeding programmes curb absenteeism because pupils are motivated to attend school knowing they will be served meals. Some children lack adequate food at home due to the current financial challenges,” said Ngugi.
School headteacher Moreen Karani thanked the Woman Representative for the support, saying the school had been facing serious water challenges.
Karani said the school receives water only twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, a situation that affects cooking, cleaning utensils and classrooms, as well as access to clean drinking water for pupils.
She appealed for further support to improve the school’s infrastructure, including levelling the playground, which has a hilly terrain that exposes pupils to injuries during outdoor activities.
Karani also requested assistance to improve the entrance to the school, install electricity wiring and lighting in classrooms, and construct a kitchen and dining area.
“We are delighted as a school that we have made this major step of starting the school feeding programme. However, we have nowhere to cook the meals from so we currently prepare them in the open. We therefore appeal for support to construct a kitchen to protect food from dust and rain,” said Karani.
She also appealed for support to establish a dining area where pupils can comfortably take their meals.
Ngugi, who has expressed interest in becoming Tharaka Nithi Governor, said that if elected, she would implement programmes aimed at improving education and the welfare of learners across the county.
She pledged to work towards achieving a teacher-to-pupil ratio of one teacher for every 20 pupils, employ Early Childhood Development Education teachers and provide free nursery school education, uniforms and balanced meals for learners.
Ngugi also promised to improve vocational training by equipping village polytechnics and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with adequate machinery and providing meals for trainees.
She said she would seek to revive practical skills training that previously enabled students in vocational institutions to undertake construction work, make furniture and provide other services within their communities.
The Woman Representative further pledged to provide free sanitary towels to primary school pupils at the beginning of every term and support women who cannot afford menstrual hygiene products.
“I am a woman and I know how lack of such necessities can lower the esteem of a woman. I will therefore establish a sanitary towel and diaper manufacturing plant to ensure these products are made locally within the county and that every girl, woman and child has access to them,” she said.
Ngugi also called on residents to support women’s leadership from the grassroots level upwards, saying increased participation of women in leadership would help address challenges affecting families and communities.
By Dickson Mwiti/Beatrice Mwende
