The Primary Education Development Project in Kenya is almost coming to an end with the fruits already being felt in schools where the project was being implemented.
The project is funded by Global Partnership for Education under the supervision of the World Bank.
The project entails Component 1: Improving early grade mathematics competencies, Component II: Strengthening Primary school management systems, Component III: Evidence based policy development and Component IV: Project management.
Speaking on Thursday during a visit to Umoja Primary School that is a beneficiary of the project in Nakuru East Sub County, East and South Africa World Bank Manager for Education Ms Safaa El-Kogali said the project has been successful so far in impacting positively on learners in grade 1,2 and 3.
While noting the importance of education in transforming the society,Ms Safaa reiterated the World Bank’s commitment in working with Kenyan Government in achieving the education goals.
“We are working closely with the government of Kenya to help them achieve their goals in education sector. What I do know is that the project is doing great and a lot has been accomplished” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Mr. Elijah Mungai-the acting Project Coordination who commended the World Bank for investing in Kenya’s education system.
According to Mr.Mungai, the Primary Education Development Project will also play key role in the new curriculum being rolled out by the ministry of education.
“The project is targeting to improve learning outcomes and we commend the World Bank for this as it will also help now that the Ministry is rolling out the new curriculum” he said.
The project under the Schools Improvement Plan targeted 4,000 schools across the country and Umoja Primary school in Nakuru East Sub County was one of the target schools.
Addressing media at the school, headteacher Ms Caroline Obwaya lauded the program saying it has helped improve the grades in the schools.
While noting that the school used to record grades as low as 180 but currently the school is among the top in the country among the schools of focus.
“Out of the 4,000 schools in the country we are proud to be among the 142 in Nakuru County and currently doing great as far as grades are concerned” said the head teacher.
The Ministry of Education has trained 4,000 head teachers of the schools Improvement Plan (SIP) on the use of tablets for use in effectively managing teaching and learning in public Primary schools.
The training is part of the Kenya Primary Education Development (PRIEDE), project which aims to strengthen primary school management and accountability for improved learning outcomes.
The overarching goal of School Improvement Plan is Develop a School Improvement Plan through a participatory process, enhance community participation and ownership of school management and development initiatives strengthen partnerships and unity of purpose among the stakeholders, Integrate all components of the school in improvement planning processes and strengthen school management, transparency and accountability for improved learning outcomes.
The project, commenced in 2015 to 2019, aims to improve early grade mathematics competency and to strengthen management systems at schools and national levels.
The use of tablets is used to capture and report on pupil enrollment and attendance, teacher attendance, textbook and learning materials inventory, receipt of annual grant allocations (digital image of bank statement reflecting the transfers to school accounts), overall school spending and implementation progress of priority actions outlined in the school action plans.
PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:East and South Africa World Bank Manager for Education Ms Safaa El-Kogali addressing media on Thursday May 23 2019 during a visit to Umoja Primary School that is a beneficiary of the project in Nakuru East Sub County.
