Improving access to quality education for pastoralist communities in Turkana county (northern Kenya)

Thomas Cook Children's Charity supported Pragya on a project establishing Education Resource Centres equipped with learning aids; audio visual and ICT equipment; in selected schools in Kenya. The project aimed at improving access to quality education for pastoralist communities in Turkana county (northern Kenya). The support received from TCCC was utilised for establishing 6 Education Resource Centres, equipped with quality educational material and equipment, to improve both teaching and learning in these disadvantaged areas, with a particular focus on girls.

Case Study - Canan Primary School

In 2011, Canan primary school was established to cater to the educational needs of the children from the growing IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) families. With 930 students and 14 teachers today, 95% of the school’s population (both teachers and pupils) comprise of IDPs. When Pragya Kenya visited the school, Mrs. Clementina Naita (shown addressing her pupils in the picture below) who is the head teacher termed the visit as “Timely and God sent”. 

She expressed how her school was deficient of basic amenities such as books and furniture. “I have no idea how to express my gratitude to both Thomas Cook Children’s Charity and Pragya Kenya for assisting Canan Primary school with materials that we’ve always wished to have but could not afford” said the head teacher. “My students now have an opportunity of getting exposed to a computer and learn how to use it at an early age” Mrs. Naita added. 


Students could not hide their excitement on receiving books, computer, a TV set and furniture. “Hiyo ni yangu!!  Hiyo ni yangu!!” (That one is mine! That one is mine!!), some younger children could be heard shouting while pointing at the computer and TV set.  Other teachers present also added that the material provided were very important to them as well because by watching, comprehension and retention capacity among the students would improve significantly. The teachers promised that they would make good use of the materials and take good care of them at all times.

Some of the happy moments...