Ugolwe Primary School Integrates Agriculture into Curriculum to Boost Food Security

UGUNJA, Kenya – Ugolwe Primary School in Ugunja Sub-county has taken a novel approach to education and food security by incorporating agricultural projects into its curriculum. This initiative, aimed at producing well-rounded students capable of thriving in a competitive world, has transformed a soil erosion-ravaged plot into a thriving farm that supports both the school’s feeding program and practical learning.

According to Kenya News Agency, George Odhiambo Ongalo, the shift towards agriculture was inspired by the Competency-Based Curriculum and facilitated by SCOPE Kenya, a non-governmental organization. The school has successfully integrated the concept of permaculture into its operations, aligning human needs with sustainable environmental practices. This approach has not only improved the school’s relationship with parents and the surrounding community but has also turned unproductive land into a source of a variety of crops.

Ongalo revealed that the project enables students from early childhood development to junior secondary school to enjoy meals sourced directly from the school garden. Additionally, excess produce is sold to fund the purchase of other essential items for the school’s feeding program. This initiative has led to an increase in school enrollment and a decrease in student truancy, alongside enhancing teacher-pupil contact time.

The project has been particularly beneficial in hosting practical lessons for students, eliminating the need to venture outside the school for hands-on learning. Many pupils have begun applying these agricultural practices at home, further extending the benefits of the program into the community.

Francis Ochieng Oduor, the teacher in charge of the project, explained that it was started in October 2023 with the goal of maximizing food production on limited land. The project employs organic farming techniques and pest management through natural means, avoiding chemical fertilizers. This initiative not only supports the curriculum but also provides practical agricultural skills to students.

The school also offers its pupils hibiscus juice, produced from petals grown in the garden, introducing them to the nutritional benefits of plants grown on-site. Artemisia, known for its malaria-treating properties, is another plant cultivated within the school grounds.

The initiative has garnered support from parents and the local community, who have applied the knowledge gained from the school’s project to their own farming practices. Lydia Atieno Oduor and Margaret Atieno Ouma, community members, shared how the project has enabled them to produce and even sell their own vegetables, reducing dependency and boosting self-sufficiency.

Despite its success, the project faces challenges due to the limited size of the school’s land, which restricts the potential for year-round food production. Ongalo has appealed for support in acquiring additional land to expand the farming project, emphasizing the need for more space to sustain the school’s needs and enhance the educational experience for students.