Learners in Primary and Secondary schools in Nairobi want the government to protect them from exposure to drugs and substance abuse within and outside the school environments.
The learners made the appeal when they held a Children’s conference at Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi, where they freely discussed issues that hinder them from concentrating on education.
The Conference dubbed ‘Nairobi Region Education Dialogue,’ brought together stakeholders and children from primary and secondary Schools in Nairobi to chart pathways to ensure children get inclusive quality education in the region.
The Nairobi Regional Director of Education, Ms Margaret Lesuuda said the event was part of the preparation of a Nairobi Region Education Conference to address issues that impede access to inclusive quality education in Nairobi.
She disclosed that the views the learners expressed at the Conference will be presented at the Children’s Conference for discussion at the Policymakers conference slated this week.
Representatives of children asked the government to establish Secondary Schools within Nairobi for learners with disabilities saying children with hearing and visual impairments in Nairobi were forced to access schools outside the county.
They also said they faced risks of attacks on their way to and from schools, and asked the government to ensure their security.
Also making her remarks, the Nairobi Women Representative Esther Pasarris lauded the initiative, saying it allowed leaders to know the real needs and expectations of children from education.
The Nairobi County Executive for Talents, Skills Development and Care, Ms. Rosemary Kariuki said the County Government was keen to ensure primary schools attendance and retention.
She said the school feeding program the Country government had effected would be expanded to benefit all children in public primary schools.
Kariuki however noted that the Kitchens currently used to prepare food for the learners were not sufficient but assured that additional kitchens would be secured over time to take care of all the children.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education’s Nairobi Regional Office, the Country Government of Nairobi, and development partners.
By Michael Omondi
