Pastoralist families in Tana River have been encouraged to enroll their children in schools as they migrate in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
Most families have deserted their villages and migrated to the Tana Delta sub-county, which has recorded an influx of livestock.
County Director of Education John Nyaga speaking in his office appealed to head teachers of schools to enroll children who have moved with their parents to continue with their education.
“Children should be allowed in those schools in the months they will be away from their homes. Parents should not deny their children education; school terms calendar was disrupted by Covid-19. If we allow children to wander in the forests with their parents they will lose a lot,’’ said Nyaga.
He further said that schools’ administration should enroll the children on the humanitarian ground since all schools and teachers are employed by Kenyans.
Most schools in the hinterlands rely on water supply from the National Drought Management Authority water bowser as most of the water pans have dried up.
Teachers are forced to wake up early or walk in the scorching sun for long-distance to look for water for their use.
“Even the porridge and food donated by the World Food Programme (WFP) cannot be prepared due to water shortage. We appeal to well-wishers to focus on the provision of water to schools because the need is urgent’’.
Meanwhile, Nyaga said Tana River is almost achieving the 100 per cent transition rate to secondary school with only two per cent remaining. He attributed the accomplishment to cooperation from chiefs.
By Sadik Hassan
