A step in the right direction toward supporting girls’ education is where Teso North Sub-county received 72,000 packs of sanitary towels from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund for distribution to Junior Secondary Schools and day secondary schools.
This was led by the Busia Woman Representative, Catherine Omanyo, at an event held at Amagoro Primary School. She noted that so far, Busia County had received the highest number of sanitary towels as the three-day exercise started on Tuesday and ended on Thursday. NGAAF had set aside Ksh10 million for buying sanitary towels.
It was followed by Teso North, Teso South, and Matayos, which received 57,600 packs each. Butula, Nambale, Teso Central, Samia, and Bunyala, among others, got 48,000, 43,296, 43,000, 41,856, and 27,000 packs, respectively.
According to Omanyo, Teso North Subcounty got the lion’s share because of its higher number of primary and secondary schools. The supplies were given with the view that they would last a year. She also noted that many parents in Busia County are not able to afford basic needs such as quality sanitary towels; hence, girls have to use rags to the detriment of comfort and participation in school.
“The distribution was based on enrollment, giving Teso North a comparative advantage over the other sub-counties,” explained Omanyo.
Teso North Sub County Director of Education Elizabeth Marangach said the region has a total of 97 public primary schools, 47 private schools and 32 secondary schools. She projected that Teso North that emerged second in last year’s KCPE will take the top position in this year’s KCSE.