According to the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education Ezekiel Machogu, the government is set to boost food production in 26 Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) areas with the aim of improving enrolment and retention of learners in schools.
Continued retention of learners in schools is also expected to boost the performance of learners in schools.
While addressing a meeting at Jogoo House Offices alongside CS Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mr Mithika Linturi said that his Ministry will collaborate with development partners to provide water and other related infrastructure, through irrigation, to improve food production in ASAL areas.
On his part, CS Machogu said that the government is feeding 2.5 Million learners in counties in ASAL areas and informal settlements in urban areas under the Home-Grown Schools Meals Programme (HGSMP).
Besides, he revealed that learners are spread over 10 ASAL Counties, 16 semi-arid counties and informal urban settlements in 10 counties.
Mr Linturi said that Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and other development partners will provide irrigation systems and put people into farming. This in their plan, will ensure that more children are and will stay in schools.
Also present at the meeting was Principal Secretary for Basic Education Dr Belio Kipsang and his University Education and Research and Vocational and Technical Training Counterparts Dr Beatrice Inyangala and Dr Esther Muhoria in that order.