Press Releases

The launch of Enhancing Quality Pre-Primary Education in Kenya Project was officially marked today at a kick-off event held in Nairobi. This project represents the partnership between ChildFund and Longhorn Publishers; and will be implemented in Baringo to enhance the quality of education delivered to pre-primary school children through learning materials and teacher empowerment.

Longhorn and ChildFund share a common interest in creating and supporting effective learning environments for child development and education especially in early childhood development (ECD). For this reason, we seek to share our respective strengths, experiences and resources with the collective goal of increasing access to quality early learning/ education for children in different counties of Kenya.

Globally, childhood education is recognized as the initial stage of basic education that facilitates the integral development of the child and is the foundation for sustainable development. Giving every child, no matter where they live, the best start in life is the best way to ensure healthy and prosperous individuals, communities and countries. It encompasses the physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development of a child from pre-natal up to the age of 8 (Child Venture, 2017). Education data in Kenya indicates glaring disparities in access to educational opportunities at all levels between and within regions. Areas such as the ASALs and informal settlements generally lag the rest of the country in access to and quality of education (Uwezo Reports 2017).

The objectives of this project are to establish a partnership for mutual collaboration:

• To enhance collaboration in the design, formulation and implementation of programs that contribute to the quality of and access to ECD education in the 16 counties.
• To develop and rollout an ECD e-Learning solution program including in-service training of ECD teachers and caregivers.
• To provide learning materials to ECD centres in the counties of interest.
• To rehabilitate and equip learning infrastructure in identified counties.

The project was conceptualized after the realization of the need to add value to the provision of quality learning opportunities to the pre-primary school learners in the country. The project will support the County Government’s efforts to improve quality of learning in identified counties through provision of learning materials and building capacity of pre-primary schoolteachers in CBC facilitation skills. The project will have an initial 3-month pilot phase to be implemented in Baringo county, and later scale up to 8 other counties namely Samburu, Machakos, Kajiado, Homabay, Kisumu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Isiolo, and Tharaka Nithi by August 2022. The project will reach over 29,000 public pre-primary school learners, 1,227 pre-primary schoolteachers and 698 pre-primary schools.

Speaking at the launch, H.E. Hon. Stanley Kiptis the Baringo County Governor lauded both organizations for coming to the rescue of hundreds of children at the most critical time of their development. “Research has shown that a child’s early years are the foundation for his or her future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development. Such collaborative efforts will ensure that these children become responsible adults able to contribute to national development,” the Governor reiterated.

Maurice Kahara, Longhorn Publishers’ Chief Commercial Officer also praised the partnership stressing the importance of early childhood education. “Children who take part in early childhood education programs have improved social skills and do better in school. They also learn essential life skills that stay with them forever. Most importantly, preschool is a place where children have fun in a safe and loving environment.”