World Bank help boosts quality of education in counties

Moses Muli

Published: March 25,2024 1PM(EAT)

The quality of education in 135 targeted sub-counties significantly improved in the last six years, thanks to the Ministry of Education through a World Bank funded project.

The Kenya Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) targeted 135 sub-counties from 30 counties which were identified through a rigorous selection criterion resulting to improved quality of teaching among other milestones from 2017 to December 2023.

Key milestones as enumerated by Dr Elijah Mungai, the Director Directorate of Projects Coordination and Delivery in the State Department for Basic Education include reduction in teacher shortage for Science, Mathematics and English in targeted areas which was implemented by the Teachers Service Commission where 2,592 secondary and 920 primary school teachers were employed.

Dr Mungai said the intervention saw live streaming of lessons piloted in 10 satellite schools from two principal institutions.  Professional development was enhanced through school-based support system for teachers totaling 51,950 in 6,500 primary and 2,000 secondary schools.

A total of 2,254,782 Science, Mathematics and English textbooks were distributed to all Grade Seven and Eight learners in 7,852 primary schools while 4,329,057 Science, Mathematics and English textbooks were distributed to learners in Form One to Four in 2,147 secondary schools.

Brailed textbooks 10,770 in total and 42,546 textbooks printed and distributed, and assistive devices distributed to 2,145 learners with disabilities.

Retention in upper primary school and transition to secondary school improved learning environment where 1,053 additional classrooms, 861 laboratories and 1,896 sanitation facilities and a proposed ultra-modern training facility at CEMASTEA.

The Ministry of Education conducted advocacy and community mobilization social support and gender sensitization programme in 1,476 locations across the 135 Sub-Counties with 1,478,135 sanitary towels for girls being distributed.