Lobby calls for establishment of breastfeeding centres in schools

Kenya Women Teachers Association has called for the establishment of breastfeeding centres in schools.
Kewota chairperson Modesta Akaki said teachers of childbearing ages have been crying for ages to have lactating centres in schools.
“With the centres, teachers can come with their children to school and breastfeed them at break time and lunchtime,” she said.
She made the remarks during the commissioning of lactating centres in two schools in Kirinyaga.
The teachers at Gacatha Primary School and Kiamutugu Boys could not hide their joy after the two centres were opened at the institutions.
Akaki said the facilities will enable teachers to concentrate on their work as breastfeed their children.
She said the centres will ensure a smooth continuation of the syllabus as there will be few interruptions.
The chairperson called upon women representatives across the country to partner with Kewota to establish lactating centres in all schools across the country.
Kewota secretary Wilkister Wanjiru said that centres will ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the children as is required.
Wanjiru said most of the lactating mothers have been working under stress thinking about the fate of their children at home, adding that the centres will boost nutrition in children.
Gacatha head teacher Paul Maina said the school has at least five teachers with breastfeeding babies and has been having a challenge of deciding who gets permission to go home to breastfeed.
The head teacher said that he is the most relieved person with the establishment of the lactating centre adding that he is assured of smooth learning at the education centre