NGOs Lead Efforts to Address Education Sector Challenges.
The education sector in the country is a cornerstone for empowering future generations and improving socio-economic conditions through increased employment opportunities. However, significant challenges persist, including infrastructure shortages, delays in funding, and teacher inadequacies.
The government has made strides in addressing these issues. It has employed 76,000 teachers for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and is working towards a target of 110,000 to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Additionally, progress has been made in constructing grade nine classrooms, with 10,000 completed and 3,500 more under construction through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
In response to these challenges, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and religious institutions have consistently partnered with the government to bolster education. World Vision, an NGO that has operated in the country for nearly 50 years, has been a key player.
The organization recently supported Kombe Mixed Secondary School in Masaba Ward, Kuria West Sub-County, by constructing a dormitory, water tank, and ablution block to create a conducive learning environment.
Transformative Impact of Partnerships
Margaret Schuler, Senior Vice President of World Vision USA, emphasized the importance of education in addressing modern societal issues. She noted that partnerships between communities, county, and national governments are crucial to solving these challenges and creating better living and working environments.
Schuler highlighted the positive impact of the newly constructed dormitory, which provides girls with a safer and more conducive space to learn, excel, and contribute economically in the future.
“This dormitory will help to provide girls with a better and safer place to live and a conducive environment to learn and excel,” stated Schuler.
World Vision Kenya has also been implementing the Big Dream Programme to combat child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Migori County.
Schuler stressed that addressing vices like FGM, child marriages, and teenage pregnancies is essential for empowering the next generation. She called on the Kuria community to safeguard their girls from harmful practices and build a brighter future.
The National Director of World Vision Kenya, Gilbert Kamanga, explained that the dormitory in Kuria, where FGM is still prevalent, serves as both a boarding facility and a safe haven for girls escaping FGM, especially during high-risk periods like December holidays.
Kamanga expressed the organization’s commitment to promoting education in rural areas, where early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and FGM hinder progress.
Kamanga revealed that World Vision is actively working in 37 counties to improve education access and retention, reduce school dropout rates, and ensure 100% transition. He also highlighted the organization’s community-driven approach, which ensures successful project implementation.
Community Involvement
Kamanga urged the Kuria community to abandon harmful cultural practices like FGM, emphasizing that true culture should not propagate violence against children. He reiterated the importance of collaboration between governments and communities to address local challenges effectively.
“Each community has its challenges, and we try, to the best of our ability, to tackle and address those challenges with a workable collaboration,” said Kamanga.
Kombe Mixed Secondary School Principal, Zablon Moseti, expressed gratitude to World Vision for their support. He noted that the 58-girl capacity dormitory alleviates boarding challenges and provides a safer learning environment.
Moseti appealed to other development partners to invest in education to empower girls in the region and combat challenges like teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and FGM.
Through collective efforts by the government, NGOs, and communities, the education sector continues to move toward a brighter future.
NGOs Lead Efforts to Address Education Sector Challenges
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