Drought And Insecurity Derail Enrolment Rates In Garissa

Parents in Garissa have been warned against failing to take their children to school as the government targets to implement the 100 per cent transition policy from primary to secondary schools.

Most schools in the county, especially the public ones have reported low enrolment by students and pupils in their various classes.

Among the issues cited for the low turnout in schools include drought which has left thousands in dire need of food, insecurity and migration of the pastoral community members in search of pasture and water for their livestock.

Fafi MP Salah Yakub has promised to buy school uniforms, boxes and pay school fees for students in his constituency as a way of addressing some of the issues.

Speaking during a public Baraza in Bura East market centre, Yakub further called on the government to reintroduce the school feeding programmes in areas affected by drought to help the students during their sessions.

The first time MP further urged the national treasury to immediately release the remaining funds for the CDF kitty so that more students may benefit from bursaries.

“Many of our children are yet to report to school due to insecurity and lack of food. We want to ask the government to help these children with food,” Yakub said.

“We want the government to release the CDF funds immediately because we need to help our students to pay their fees and even construct more health centres to help our people,” he added.

On his part, area County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich warned that parents found to have not taken their children to school would be held responsible.

“We should help our teachers by taking the children who have attained well in their studies to school to further their studies” Cherutich warned.

He directed the chiefs and their assistants to ensure that all eligible children report to school as required and arrest those who fail to comply with the government’s requirement to take their children to school.

Source: Kenya News Agency