Teachers in West Pokot have called for the government to beef up security along the border of West Pokot County and other bordering Counties to help learner’s have a peaceful learning environment.
They lamented that some schools have been having on and off learning session due to insecurity lapse as parents, teachers and students have been affected with the deteriorating security situation.
Speaking during the launch of County school bursary at Makutano stadium, Governor John Lonyangapuo said disarmament should be done in areas where banditry is rampant so as to reduce cattle rustling and restore peace.
He urged leaders to avoid incite full remarks as he urged the County security officers to note down such leaders.
“Bandits should be disarmed they are wrecking havoc and killing innocent lives, they rather fight without guns and allow our children to be school.” He said.
He advised school heads to allow parents to pay school fees in other means if they don’t have money in form of barter trade.
“Those parents who don’t have money they should be allowed to pay school fees using goats, chicken or whatever they have in their homes. In other schools it works very well, school principals should emulate that.” He said
Lonyangapuo said the County government has released Sh138 million Bursary Kitty in an event attended by secondary schools Heads among other stakeholders.
51 secondary schools from hardship areas with less than 100 students received Sh20,000 for each student during the 1st tranch and all day schools students received Sh 7,000 per student.
The Bursary programme has led to a record increase in school enrollment, retention and transition rates whereby in 2017, there were only 23, 000 students in secondary school but the robust ‘Bursary For All’ programme has increased secondary enrollment tremendously which rose to 70,000.
“My vision is to ensure that no child is left behind. Indeed, we are firmly on the right path.” He said
Some of the teachers noted that the frequent attacks have affected performance in the bordering school citing that the KCPE and KCSE results have drastically dropped due to insecurity.
“Insecurity has contributed to poor performance, learners don’t have a peaceful environment to study. We have been greatly affected and the government need to restore peace.” said Lonyangapuo