Nairobi Schools Launch New Literacy Drive to Boost Early Reading Skills

In a concerted effort to enhance early literacy in the city’s schools, the retailer Text Book Centre (TBC) launched a campaign dubbed 60 Schools in 60 Days on July 2, 2025. The initiative will channel more than KSh 1 million worth of educational resources—including over 3,000 books, stationery and art supplies—to under-resourced schools in Nairobi. The drive aims to reach an estimated 30,000 learners, strengthening reading culture and supporting foundational literacy at the primary level.
The programme builds on TBC’s six decades in the education sector and comes amid recognition of major literacy gaps across Kenya’s primary schools. Partnering with organisations like the Desai Memorial Foundation, TBC has identified Nairobi schools most in need of reading materials and has set up a feedback system to track progress. During the launch, TBC CEO Sachin Varma highlighted that millions of Kenyan children still lack access to the resources needed for effective learning. The campaign includes direct engagement with teachers to integrate these resources into classroom instruction and to monitor their impact on literacy outcomes.
Reaction from the education community has been broadly positive. School administrators welcomed the move, pointing out that many of their learners have limited or no access to age-appropriate reading books and often share textbooks among multiple pupils. Teachers said the infusion of fresh books and materials would help stimulate interest in reading and allow them to introduce more interactive literacy activities. However, some literacy advocates cautioned that while donor-driven campaigns are valuable, sustained support and follow-up are vital to ensure that the materials translate into ongoing reading habits rather than short-lived improvements.
Looking ahead, TBC plans to extend the campaign’s model to more neighbourhoods in Nairobi and—in partnership with local schools—track learners’ reading levels over the next academic year. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a strong reading culture that supports learners beyond the classroom setting. If effectively scaled, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for improving early literacy across urban Kenyan schools, paving the way for better academic achievement and lifelong learning.