1.2 Million Kids Dropped Out Of School In North Eastern

A total of 1.2 million learners did not resume school in 10 North Eastern counties of Kenya raising concerns about the future of those counties. Stakeholders are scratching their heads in trying to find out the solution to the unfolding crisis.

As schools resumed on January 4, 2021, a total of 107,000 learners were nowhere to be seen. The leaders in the region have attributed the constant insecurity in the region as a result of aAl-Shabaab as the main cause of mass dropouts.

In Mandera County, 265,000 students dropped out of school followed by Garissa County with 255,000. In Wajir County, a total of 237,000 are out of school followed by Turkana County with 224,000 and Marsabit County with 94,000 students.

In Kenya, all learning institutions resumed on January 4, 2021, after being on a break of more than 9 months. This was the longest break in the history of Kenya. The closure was ordered by President Uhuru Kenya to protect learners against Covid-19.

In North Eastern Counties, governors have complained of insecurity from the terror group, Al-Shabaab. The Governor for Mandera County claimed that the terror group controls about 50 percent of the county as well as major roads.

There is also a massive shortage of teachers in the region. Non-local teachers fear being deployed into the area due to hostilities from the locals as well as attacks from the terrorists. The locals want the government to employ teachers from the region.

The government has promised to deal with the insecurity issue in the region but called on the locals to stop hiding the terrorists among the them.The Ministry of Interior says the locals are a great hindrance to the fight against terror in the region.

At the same time, there is an ongoing operation in Kapedo, Baringo County toflush out bandits who have been killing people and stealive cattle. 90 percent of the schools in the area are still shut and the whereabouts of the learners unknown.