[Kilifi governor Amason Kingi. He has rolled out a Sh50 million free milk programme to keep Kilifi pre-primary pupils in class. Courtesy: The Star]
The Kilifi County government has launched an elaborate plan that seeks to reduce the rate of school drop out in pre-primary.
The plan entails a Sh50 million free milk programme targeting public ECDE schools within the County.
Studies have shown that most pupils in the county drop out of school in pre-primary due to lack of food and water.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch, Kilifi governor Amason Kingi noted that the programme targets more than 89, 000 children.
"We are targeting 89,000 children in the first phase. The focus is to include private ECD centres in the second phase," he said.
He further cautioned school heads against diverting the milk to other uses, saying the county government will put stringent measures to ensure the milk reaches the intended target.
"This milk is specifically for ECD children and not for primary or secondary school students," Kingi said. Teachers and caregivers should also not use this milk to prepare their tea. We will punish those who deviate from this course," he stated.