Insecurity Plagues Schools in North Rift Region
The North Rift region of Kenya has been plagued by insecurity, and schools in the area have not been spared from the impact of the violence.
Recent attacks from bandits have left schools in the region struggling with low enrolment and attendance rates. In Isiolo, an attack on Olng’arua Primary School has forced more than 100 pupils to stay at home, hindering their education.
The attack resulted in the destruction of vehicles and learning materials, as well as the theft of other school items.
Parents are concerned that their children may not be able to return to school if the institution is not reopened soon, as the nearest primary school is several kilometers away, making it difficult for parents to transport their children to school.
“We sought refuge in a neighbouring village after the attack. The government should provide the school with adequate security so that learning is not interrupted in future,” a parent said.
In the North Rift, bandits have been attacking learners and teachers in schools situated in banditry-prone areas, resulting in low attendance rates. Learners and teachers are keeping away from schools in fear of fresh attacks.
Schools in Baringo South and Baringo North sub-counties are particularly affected, as they are situated in areas that are categorised as disturbed and dangerous amid an ongoing multi-agency security operation to flush out bandits.
Moreover, the displaced families of Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Turkana counties have moved to safer areas with their children and are reluctant to return despite government assurances about their security.
Headteachers have raised concerns about low enrolment and attendance due to the violence.
Many schools are affected, including Arabal, Kapindasum, Embosos, Noosukro, Kasiela, Sinoni, Tuiyotich in Baringo South, and Chemoe, Tuluk, Kamwetio, Chepkew, Chepkesin, Kapturo, Kalabata, Kinyach, Kosile, Kagir, Ng’aratuko, and Yatya primary schools in Baringo North.
Yatya Primary School in Baringo North, for instance, only had 11 pupils out of 270 learners reporting back on Monday.
Attendance rates are low because many parents fled the area with their children, and many teachers are non-locals and are yet to report back to schools.
“Most of the teachers in my school are non-locals and they are yet to report back. Attendance is still low. Many parents fled the area with their children,” Mr Thomas Kiburet, the headteacher, told Nation.
Insecurity Plagues Schools in North Rift Region