NGAOs Get Power to Monitor Education and School Feeding Programs
National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) across Kenya will now have an expanded role to ensure the promotion of education standards within their areas.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated that this additional responsibility will help bridge educational gaps and create equal opportunities for all children, aiming to increase the country’s literacy rates significantly.
He emphasized that administrators are key agents of change in Kenya’s educational landscape.
Dr. Omollo noted that last year, NGAO officers were instrumental in achieving a 100 percent transition rate, with approximately 1.2 million students enrolling in junior secondary schools, surpassing targets in some regions.
NGAOs will collaborate with various stakeholders, including NGOs and private donors, to ensure schools are well-equipped.
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They will also oversee essential feeding programs to keep children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, in school.
Support During Examinations
During the 2023 national examinations, the government deployed over 600 administrators alongside 16,056 police officers to ensure smooth operations across all examination centers.
Speaking in Bungoma during the inspection of preparations for the county hosting this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, Omollo reported a 96.8 percent transition rate of school-going children to high school.
This transition is crucial for students progressing to higher learning institutions, including vocational, technical training, and universities.
According to a 2022 World Bank report, Kenya’s literacy rate among individuals up to 15 years old is a commendable 82.88 percent.
Omollo highlighted the significant role of NGAO officers in promoting education, calling them heroes who drive change and ensure no child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge.
He expressed the ministry’s appreciation for the NGAOs’ efforts in tracking students throughout the year to ensure adherence to the 100 percent school transition policy.
Beyond advocacy and policy enforcement, NGAO officers are crucial in resource facilitation.
Omollo stressed that their tireless efforts are closing the educational gap and bringing learning opportunities to Kenya’s most remote areas.
He pointed out that many remote schools lack basic supplies such as textbooks, stationery, and desks.
Challenges and Support for Vulnerable Groups
Dr. Omollo praised administrators for assisting young girls who become pregnant, particularly during national examinations.
However, he regretted that despite stringent measures by the government to curb this issue, hundreds of girls still sit for exams while pregnant each year.
Statistics from Bungoma County Referral Hospital in June 2023 revealed that 26,149 teenage girls had become pregnant over a 24-month period.
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The PS reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring that all children have access to education and the necessary resources to succeed.
He underscored the pivotal role of NGAOs in this mission, emphasizing their contributions to creating a more equitable educational environment in Kenya.
NGAOs Get Power to Monitor Education and School Feeding Programs
