West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has opposed the move to shut down schools with poor infrastructure and unsafe for learners in the County by the Education Ministry. A total of 29 schools in West Pokot have been closed and 31 have been served with closure notices. More than 2,000 learners have been affected.
The schools shut down in the County include Kanguletiang Boys school, Kouroukou Boys, St. Peters Chemwolo Primary, Central Pokot Academy, Kawarinyi Primary, Royal Academy and Kacheptarum Primary schools.
Speaking at Tilak Primary school when he visited the school, Governor Lonyangapuo ordered the shut down schools not to heed to the directive by Prof Magoha saying the move has affected learners in pastoral and marginalized areas.
He said that the government should first release infrastructure funds to schools in need before shutting them down. “I’m the area Governor and I will not accept that. I have given out bursaries and they can’t shut down the schools,” he said “The schools sit for the same exam and they better deal with exam irregularities.”
He said it is unfair to shut down schools along the West Pokot and Turkana County border which used to experience insecurity.
The County boss said that the Ministry of Education was poisoning the minds of young people by targeting the education sector. “One incident which happened in Nairobi shouldn’t cause schools in marginalized areas to be closed down.”
He said that he has summoned the County Director of Education to review the issue. He said that the government should support schools in the region .
