Dr. Valerian Kilemi Mwiria

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 741 to 750 of 862.

• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, we hope to intensify training programmes for teachers in the ASAL areas. However, more importantly, most of the schools in the ASAL areas can advertise for science teachers. We do insist that the teachers who are considered sign a contract so that they can teach in the ASAL areas for, at least, five years. This is one of the things we have done. However, we hope that we can support science training in the lower classes and popularise it. We encourage the nomadic and other remote communities to venture into sciences so that more of their young ... view
• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, we launched the ICT policy on education this morning. We insisted that to bridge the gap between the rural schools and the elite schools, we need to democratise the use of computers in our schools. As a result, we have several initiatives. One of them is the NEPAD initiative that targets, at least, two schools in every district. Secondly, we are working with other partners, including microsoft to popularise the use of computers. This is already being offered in teachers training colleges. There are other programmes under computers for schools. Essentially, the situation is much better now. ... view
• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for that clarification and for giving me the opportunity to respond to debate on this very important Motion, on which I have consulted with you and a few hon. Members of this House on the possibility of an amendment being brought forward. Having consulted with hon. Members, it seems that the spirit of the Motion is good. The intention is to take care of those students who are very deprived, namely, orphans. We, in the Ministry, are concerned. The Government has been concerned with alleviation of poverty, and focused on the very poor ... view
• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree with you absolutely! I am saying: If we want to implement free secondary education for the 200,000 orphans, we must think of how we can come up with--- view
• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: There is no number! These are my own estimates because I can figure out--- view
• 2 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: These are my estimates based on the overall 1.2 million pupils, and the percentage of how many are in primary schools. It is possible to estimate how many are in secondary schools. The number cannot be more than 250,000. The numbers are not as scaring as we think. To support that, we must come up with resources. Resources will be voted in but I am saying that, apart from what we get from the Government, we must make savings from what is already available to contribute to that kitty. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, my interest in insisting that we ... view
• 1 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am not aware that 11,000 out of 33,000 primary school children in Butula Constituency are orphans. I do not have any records. (b) The current Kenya Country Programme (2004-2008) operation contract is being implemented in 29 ASAL districts and six unplanned urban settlements in Nairobi with a total beneficiary level of 1.1 million pupils. The School Feeding Programme (SFP) targets socio-economically disadvantaged and nutritionally vulnerable children in pre-primary and primary schools in the gazetted areas. Butula Constituency of Busia District, unfortunately, is not among the ASAL districts gazetted by the 2466 ... view
• 1 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a matter that relates to many districts and not just Busia District. The matter is outside the mandate of the Ministry of Education. There are many districts and constituencies in this country with many orphans in schools. It is impossible for all the districts that experience that problem to be considered for the SFP that takes place in ASAL districts. I appreciate that there are problems. I sympathise with the hon. Member but, unfortunately, the programme targets specific districts that have been gazetted. Until we expand the programme, very little can be done. view
• 1 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I did not understand the question. However, if it is about bursaries, the resources that are available are disbursed through the constituencies as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. The orphaned students who join secondary schools will be considered under that programme. view
• 1 Aug 2006 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, we will be quite happy to consider the case of Busia and other areas which experience more or less the same problem. Again, this depends on the resources we have. However, in a district where the circumstances are that extreme, the Ministry will find out whether it is possible to allocate some resources towards that end. view