Education Amidst Violence: School Where Pupils Share Classroom With Police
Children and police share classrooms at Kapindasum Primary School, located in the dangerous area of Baringo County. The school, which serves 250 learners, has been witness to hunger, drought, and violence.
Gunfire is not an uncommon sound in this region. Just last month, as the learners were going on their midterm break, armed security personnel escorted them for seven kilometers to the Chemorongion center to board buses home, due to concerns about bandit attacks.
The school itself has been vandalized, with remaining structures in poor condition, and serves as both classrooms during the day and dormitories at night. Many of the pupils at the school have been displaced, with some seeking refuge at neighboring schools.
Only pupils in Grades Six, Junior Secondary School, and Class Eight are currently attending school, as many parents have fled with their children due to insecurity.
Despite the challenging environment, the learners at Kapindasum Primary School have shown resilience and determination to achieve their goals. In the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, the school achieved an impressive mean score of 325.46, even though the pupils had to take the exams at a nearby school.
The ongoing security operations and evacuation orders in the region are having a negative impact on education, according to local residents. Some parents are fleeing with their children, and the fear among business travelers has also affected the local economy.
The Ngiinyang market, one of the largest livestock markets in the region, had no buyers recently, forcing locals to take their animals back home. As a result, the local community is urging the government to address the issue of insecurity in the area.
Stanley Kiptis, the former governor of Baringo, expressed support for the ongoing security operation and the government’s efforts to restore peace to the volatile region. He emphasized the need for development projects to be initiated in the area, and highlighted the role of the Amaya Triangle Initiative, a forum for peace and development, in resolving the issue.
In 2017, the counties of Samburu, Baringo, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Elgeyo Marakwet had collaborated to implement various projects aimed at addressing the negative effects of climate change in the region. Kiptis emphasized that illegal firearms are the main cause of insecurity in the area, and while the government is working to disarm the communities, it is equally important to initiate development projects.
Julius Akeno, a resident of Tiaty, highlighted the need to distinguish between cattle herders and cattle rustlers. He explained that insecurity caused by nomadic cattle herders is easier to handle compared to dealing with organized criminals who are cattle rustlers and bandits.
Akeno emphasized that the issue arises from grouping them together due to a lack of understanding about the differences between the two. Despite the challenges faced by Kapindasum Primary School and the surrounding community, the learners continue to strive for a better future.
They have demonstrated resilience and determination to succeed in the face of adversity. While insecurity remains a pressing concern, efforts from the government, local communities, and development initiatives are needed to address the issue and create a safer environment for education and growth in the region.
Education Amidst Violence: School Where Pupils Share Classroom With Police
