A non-governmental organisation donated over 14,000 textbooks to Amani public library in Kibera on Monday.
Speaking during the presentation at the library an NGO representative, Ben Ooko said 15 other counties have benefitted from the books donation. He said the NGO mainly targets schools in arid and slum areas in the country, pointing out that access to learning materials in such areas is a big challenge. He also stated that the organisation will strive to ensure that such materials are available to schools in marginalised areas.
The area MP, Ken Okoth asked the government to zero rate tax on learning materials like books.
“For the children of this country to benefit fully from free and compulsory education, textbooks and other learning materials,” said Okoth.
The MP added that zero rating learning materials will make them affordable for schools and parents. He also called on the government to not tax learning materials brought by well-wishers and donors into the country noting that this will help cultivate a reading culture.
“The books will help us improve our performances especially in English, which has been the main challenge every year when results are announced,” he said.
He disclosed that the county has always scored below average in the national examinations.