Discussions between Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai and a delegation from Japan, comprising parliamentarians and Save the Children, took place on Monday to strengthen education in Turkana County. In the delegation were Ejima Kiyoshi and Ueno Michiko, Parliamentarians from Japan working in the House of Councillors of Japan, and Save the Children’s Government Relations Officer, Megumi Nishizaki, based in Japan. The visit was aimed at learning about education programs in Turkana and exploring possible areas of partnership between institutions working in the county. Both Kiyoshi and Michiko sit in the Japanese House of Councillors.
Discussion during the meeting brought out the need for closer cooperation between the delegation and county officials in addressing challenges that bedevil education in the region. Michiko emphasized the need for coordination, comparing the Kenyan education system with that of Japan, noting both put premium attention on the need for more stakeholder collaboration. Governor Lomorukuk appealed for more resources to help improve the current inadequate learning infrastructure, teacher shortages, and capacity development. He further reached out for support to sustain the school feeding program that helps keep children at school.
“Education is a shared responsibility. National, county governments and partners must collaborate playing role to address challenges which are similar at all levels,” said the Governor.
The governor said, “We are Facing teacher shortage, we shall have to discuss with MCAs and shift from the construction of new ECD centers to the effective use of available ones.” He further alluded to the adverse effects brought by climate change and banditry on school infrastructure and called for government partnership towards their rebuilding.
Michiko promised to explore support for the education sector in Turkana, right down to capacity-building for teachers. What she wants is for the county to adopt a Global Education approach, in which students are exposed to diverse cultures and perspectives.
The County Executive for Education, Elizabeth Loote, appreciated the support of Save the Children on the implementation of WASH programs in schools and rescue centres, and in the formulation of the ECD policy. The appreciation of Save the Children input was also voiced by the County Director for Education, Stanley Lubanga, who lauded the institution’s contribution towards the strengthening of the education system and called for its support in addressing the adverse effects of climate change that were affecting the sector.
Also in the delegation was Oshima Yoshiyuki of the global fund, “Education Cannot Wait”, which supports Save the Children. Save the Children’s team was led by its Turkana Program Manager, Shariff Abdalla. Others were County Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Aemun, Kalokol MCA Michael Apem and UN Delivering as One Coordinator Susan Aletia.
Present in the meeting was another senior county government officer: Chief of Staff Peter Loyapan, Ag. Chief Officer for Education and Social Protection Etelej Korea, Directors Raphael Logum, Resource Mobilization, Ezekiel Kulal, ECDE, and Advisor on Gender and Partnerships Festus Imuton.
The partnership sets out to streamlineending the emerging educational issues in this county and the education system to achieve quality learning.