A Large Number Of Out-Of-School Children In North Rift Counties Raise Concern

By Benson Aswani,

Research conducted in North Rift counties to highlight the situation of the education sector indicates that cultural practices, parental indolence, and allowing liquor shops near schools are some of the issues that contribute to many out-of-school children.

The report further highlights child labour and insecurity in the border areas of West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, and Trans Nzoia counties as the obstacles to education in North Rift counties.

Speaking during the launch Usawa agenda report, the Saver Africa organization officer, Dennis Mwololo also expressed the need to sensitize locals in remote areas to the importance of education.

“Tradition and culture have been a hindrance to some educational advancements in this region. And many parents are not sensitized to understand the current system called the CBC, because you find CBC is doing very well in the urban areas but not doing well in rural areas,” said Mr. Mwololo.

According to the Executive Director at Alemun Pastoralists Empowerment Initiative (APEI), Turkana County Johnstone Moru, the research has revealed that girls’ enrolment is higher than boys, but most of them drop out due to vices such as early marriages and childhood pregnancies.

“From the report, you will find that girls enrolment is very high than boys but at the end, you will find girls dropping out when they reach class eight or form four due to challenges like poverty, early marriages, and pregnancies,” he stated.

His statement was echoed by the Yang’at organization representative in West Pokot County Elizabeth Kukat who also said that the enrolment of pupils in West Pokot County is very low compared to other counties.

“If you see the statistics, it shows that in West Pokot enrolment is low and also we have absenteeism and the cases that hinder children from going to school such as cultural issues,” she said.

On her side, the Kenya Primary Schools Head teachers Association (KEPSHA) chair of West Pokot County Cecilia Ngige applauded the report which she said will help to improve the education sector in the region.

“We will use the findings of this report to better the education sector in this region thus ensuring a better learning environment for our children,” said Mrs. Ngige.