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{
    "id": 1340623,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1340623/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 179,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Samburu County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Pauline Lenguris",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "we are discussing compulsory education, we should create policies that will ensure that all the children in this country access education. The education sector faces a lot of challenges today. If we want to retain our children in school and offer quality education, several factors must be considered by the Ministry that oversees education programmes in this country. When we talk about school feeding programmes, the areas that are mostly targeted are the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in this country, and I come from one of them. We are faced with a lot of challenges with the school feeding programme. That was one of the moves to ensure that children can access education while their nutritional value is also taken care of. The provision of food in schools has been erratic and inconsistent. We have seen most children drop out of school because they do not have access to the food that they are supposed to get. The feeding programme will also ensure the retention of students in schools. Sometimes, the food comes as late as the time when the school is about to close for the holidays. Sometimes, a whole term goes by without a school getting the school feeding programme food. That is one of the aspects we should look into as Members to ensure that education and food for our children are provided because the two aspects co-exist. Another aspect is the issue of infrastructure in our schools. Recently, we introduced the CBC programme, but most schools do not have classrooms. The children are supposed to transition to Grades 6, 7, 8 and 9 and yet, there is no infrastructure in some areas. In some instances, parents have been forced to buy desks, books and uniforms, which are very expensive to some from poor families. Additionally, this has prevented the children from accessing education. So, the Government should ensure that structures and policies have been put in place before introducing any new programme. The Government should also ensure that all students from all over this country transition into the new programme. This is because we have been faced with a lot of challenges in the implementation of the CBC programme. Parents have been stressed with getting money for uniforms for their children. Some cannot afford food because children are supposed to move to schools in their neighbourhoods where they can attend Grade 7. Some do not have money to buy desks, but are forced to buy them. So, every time they run to their Members of Parliament or leaders to seek support. Another issue is on books. There are institutions in this country where children cannot get books for studies. Those are the programmes that the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should ensure we have. They should put the required infrastructure in place before implementing a new programme. I strongly support the increased capitation for schools because it will ensure that our children get food in school. They can also get the required textbooks for their learning, and other improvements can be made in schools. I support the Motion. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}