Schools re-open amid security fears

Learning in public primary and secondary schools is set to resume Monday as the institutions reopen for the second term.
However, the fate of learners in conflict-hit areas such as Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir still remains uncertain.

More than 1,000 teachers posted to Garissa, Mandera and Wajir have refused to go back, citing insecurity.
Their decision followed a terrorist attack in Mandera last year that left 28 teachers dead.

In Turkana, Lorogon Primary School headteacher James Ekwam confirmed that the institution would remain closed until security is assured.

Lorogon Village was surrounded by more than 200 bandits for the better part of last week, with Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers finally ending the siege on Saturday evening.
Mr Ekwam said the school has an enrolment of 633 pupils, but some learners have moved to more secure areas due to the tense situation in Lorogon.

BARINGO

In Baringo County, Knut officials have urged police to beef up security in the region so that 27 primary schools, which have remained closed due to banditry, can reopen.

Knut branch secretary Charles Kamuren last week said more than 31,000 learners in the 27 schools in Baringo North and South have not been able to go to school due to insecurity.
However, in other parts of the country, parents were yesterday busy shopping for their children as others started leaving for their respective schools.

Transporters in Eldoret town Sunday cashed in on the back-to-school rush as parents and pupils headed to various destinations in time for today’s opening.
In Kabarnet town, parents and their children were busy carrying out last-minute shopping, while in Elgeyo-Marakwet, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, the usual preparations were also in progress.

However, some schools will have to contend with the destruction of infrastructure by heavy rains that have been pounding parts of the country such as Migori and Narok.
Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has assured parents that the government would ensure learners are safe in school.

“I have instructed school heads to put in place safety measures to ensure that their learning institutions are safe and they should seek my intervention in terms of resources when need arises,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman John Awiti said teachers are ready to resume work after the holiday. “It’s our prayers that the government will release funds on time,” said Mr Awiti.

The government is expected to release more than Sh10 billion for schools this term.