Five primary schools in Garbatula Sub-County, Isiolo County are yet to open doors this term, due to insecurity after parents relocated to areas they deem safer for them.
The County Director of Education, Dr. Hussein Koriyow said the government’s security agencies are working closely with the elders and the local residents to have the smooth learning take place as soon as possible.
The affected schools are located in an area that is prone to insecurity, owing to retaliatory confrontations involving herdsmen from neighbouring Counties.
The education officer, today, said that the security problem experienced in the area the last two months affected the reopening of the schools with a number of learners staying away with their parents who had moved to safer places.
Dr. Koriyow said Tanna, Konne, Eldera, Belgesh and Bisan-adhi primary schools have not opened, adding that teachers would also be relocated to nearby schools, where they would continue to render their services as usual.
The CDE said that 80 per cent of students from rural areas who have not reported back to school failed to re-open, since they had moved with parents to other areas far from their learning institutions.
The education boss added that 70 per cent of secondary school students have reported and lessons have started, and urged parents who are still holding children because of fees to release them immediately.
He said that 93 per cent of girls in secondary schools from Merti, 86 per cent from Garbatula and 64 per cent from Isiolo Sub Counties were in school, while the number will increase by the second week since the government’s multi-sectoral approach campaign was underway to see all students resumed studies regardless of the challenges they may be undergoing.
He appealed to Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and their assistants to report any child of school going age who was still at home, saying that it was against the child rights.
Meanwhile Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Mutua said that no child from his Sub County would leave school and directed chiefs to bring back the married and pregnant girls to schools.
Mr. Mutua warned that chiefs who hid girls in their villages would be disciplined for not taking their duty seriously.
By Abduba Mamo
