Schools in Isiolo benefit from Nation Media Group’s newspapers programme
Written By Jane Njeri Thuo
Twelve primary schools in Isiolo County have benefitted from the Nation Media Group’s Newspapers in Education (NiE) programme.The programme was launched at Ngaremara Primary School by the Nationteam in partnership with World Vision, Isiolo.
Speaking during the launch, Ms Caroline Mani, from the NiE programme, said the initiative is geared towards improving mastery of the Kiswahili and English languages in schools. “Besides publishing news the Nation Media Group is using newspapers as an intervention for laying the needed reading foundation in our schools.
“Taifa Leo and Daily Nation newspapers have the material required for improving education standards,” Ms Mani said.
She said pupils from the 12 schools have an opportunity to access revision materials through the Taifa Leo newspaper in partnership with World Vision.
The partnership between World Vision and NMG will deliver newspapers to Oldonyiro, Akili, Shambani, Ngaremara and Emejen, among other primary schools.
Ngaremara headteacher Norman Kairi lauded Nation Media Group saying the provision of newspapers will significantly improve education in the targeted schools.
“The NiE has attracted a lot of interest among the pupils.
“We have already received the newspapers twice and the pupils cannot wait to read them. This will go a long way in improving the reading culture and (also improve) languages. It is an initiative in the right direction,” Mr Kairi said.
World Vision Isiolo Programme Coordinator Gibson Kimani said the programme will bring on board more schools based on the success in the 12 schools which have already benefitted.
Consolata Titi, a Class Eight pupil at Ngaremara Primary School lauded the initiative saying pupils will acquire knowledge and improve their written and spoken language. “We thank the Nation and World Vision for bringing the newspapers to us.We can now read and speak Kiswahili and English better as well as get to know what is happening around the world. We hope the programme will be sustained,” Titi said.
NMG regional editor in-charge of Meru Bureau, Mr Lucas Barasa said the NiE is part of the company's corporate social responsibility.The newspapers, he said, are used as teaching aids and he urged the pupils to use the newspapers to improve their grades.
Under the programme, every Monday, copies of the Daily Nation will be provided to schools as tools to train teachers on how to use newspapers and to enhance the school curriculum.The project is driven by the realisation that, currently, the government cannot adequately provide reading materials tor all schools.
The programme has been approved by the Ministry of Education and is designed to strengthen the culture of reading while bridging the gap between the school and the real world. NMG is using two of its products — the Daily Nation and Taifa Leo — in the project, which seeks to address the curriculum needs of a million students by the year 2030.
Students who demonstrate exemplary performance in the project will, among other things, be rewarded with trips outside the country.
Ngaremara Member of County Assembly Peter Losu also hailed the NMG initiative. He said the county government has resolved to construct at least two classrooms in every ward every year.
Reference : mobile.nation.co.ke
Primary Schools,Newspapers,Daily Nation