By Wajir Today Reporter
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, has lauded international partnerships for their vital role in improving access to early childhood education during a ceremony held at Hodhan Primary School in Wajir town on Thursday.
The event marked the official launch of new learning materials and the inauguration of four TIKA-supported classrooms in Hodhan and Barwaqo Primary Schools.
Speaking before officials from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Ministry of Education representatives, and community members, Governor Ahmed celebrated the occasion as a “milestone in transforming education” through collaboration.
“These are not just books or buildings; they represent opportunity, dignity, and a brighter future for our young learners,” he said
Governor Ahmed outlined the county’s significant strides in Early Childhood Education, noting the existence of 368 centres supporting over 28,600 learners and staffed by 543 trained teachers.
He also announced plans to recruit 120 more teachers this year, including 20 specialists for children with special needs and the ongoing construction of 160 classrooms and 24 twin toilets across the six sub-counties.
The Governor praised the FCDO-funded and Wajir Peace & Development Agency-implemented INSPIRED Project for revolutionising the county’s ECE landscape. The initiative has trained 458 teachers in inclusive, play-based learning methods, provided materials to 264 centres, and established a network of instructional coaches and master trainers to offer ongoing mentorship.
However, he highlighted persisting challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to clean water in remote schools. Governor Ahmed appealed to development partners for continued support to ensure that no child is left behind.
“As Governor, I pledge to expand child-friendly infrastructure, improve water access, and sustain the gains of the INSPIRED Project,” he affirmed.
The event concluded with the official unveiling of the new classrooms and distribution of the learner workbooks, symbolising a united commitment to advancing inclusive and quality education in Wajir County.
