Learning is more effective and meaningful when learners can make use of a wider variety of scholastic equipment that enhance quality of instruction as well as ensure comfort of the learners. Most schools in Marsabit County lack of enough desks and chairs, leading to congestion and fatigue among the learners. Pastoralist Community Initiative and Development Assistance (PACIDA) supported by Kindermissionswerk distributes learning materials regularly to various schools in the Sub Counties of Laisamis, Moyale, North Horr and Saku of Marsabit County.
School across the country of Kenya opened for their gates for the first school term of 2020 on 6th and 7th of January. For Tiigo School, 60 lockers and chairs were delivered for use. “The chairs and lockers help to improve the convenience of learning at school. The students can keep their books and pens safely because they have locks. Says Mujahin Abdi, 15 years old student of Grade Six at the Tiigo School. “This also enhances the good image of our school, students want to study in schools where they know there are enough facilities.”
Other schools across Marsabit County also received learning facilities. For Koloba Primary School in Moyale, PACIDA delivered teaching aids, desks and sporting facilities including posts for volleyball, netball and football as well as nets. For Kalacha Nomadic Girls’ School, 20 desks, text books, food, nets, balls, ball pumps and volleyball posts were delivered.
For Sololo Makutano Primary School, 20 desks were delivered. Playing kits comprising balls, nets, ball pumps, goal posts and teaching aids were delivered to Dambala Fachana Primary School. Dukana Girls Primary School received teaching aids and sporting equipment comprising goal posts for football and netball, nets, ball pumps, footballs, netballs and volleyballs. Teaching aids comprising charts and learning models were also delivered. Elhadi Primary School received 20 desks and Ririba Girls School received teaching aids, nets, balls and netball posts.
“The importance of education is to change the world, to help the poor, to shape the future of students and to get knowledge. With improved learning facilities, we are making steps towards achieving these goals,” says Arbe Godana Duba, 13 years old in Grade six at Tiigo School.
According to Kenya’s Basic Education Act 2013 (Cap70), every institution of basic education in consultation with the Education, Standards and Quality Assurance Council shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Act:
• Develop or adapt appropriate national and international standards;
• Establish, implement and manage quality assurance systems;
• Establish and promote appropriate collaborative arrangements with relevant national and international agencies on standards and quality assurance; and
• Establish systems and processes for continuous review and improvement of standards and quality assurance.