Primary schools across Kenya have received KSh10 million worth of textbook donations in a bid to improve literacy levels, and help children from lower income families and schools lacking the adequate educational tools and resources, thanks to a collaboration between Rotary Club and Oxford University Press.
The campaign provided textbooks and educational materials to children across 500 public primary schools in Kenya.
“The book donations drive was a project designed by OUP East Africa to reach students in marginalised areas,” said John Mwazemba, Oxford University Press East Africa General Manager.
“Achieving high levels of literacy in Kenya is important to the government and by extension, Oxford University Press East Africa. However, in reality, a number of schools have a very low student book ratio,” he added.
The shortage of textbooks across Kenya has been a huge cause of concern, with most of the children receiving supplies living in low income families. But by working together, Rotary Club and the OUP have been able to provide a total of 43,000 books across Kenya, furthering the country’s Millennium Development Goals towards improving education and literacy in children and young people.
“If we do not invest in our children, Kenya is doomed,” says outgoing Rotary District 9212 Governor, Richard Omwela.
“We have to plant a seed in them. The seed to make a difference and they can only do that if we empower them with books.”
