This archive report was first published on 13 September 2021.
Published on September 13, 2021, the Tana River County Director of Education, John Nyaga, has appealed to head teachers to enroll children who have moved with their parents to continue with their education.
Most pastoralist families have deserted their villages and migrated to the Tana Delta sub-county, which has recorded an influx of livestock. The county is experiencing a severe drought, leading to water scarcity and a disruption in school terms.
‘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 emphasized that schools’ administration should enroll the children on humanitarian grounds, as all schools and teachers are employed by Kenyans. The county is facing a significant challenge in providing water to schools, with most relying on the National Drought Management Authority water bowser.
Teachers are forced to wake up early or walk in the scorching sun for long distances to look for water for their use. The World Food Programme (WFP) has donated food, but it cannot be prepared due to the water shortage.
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.
