Insecurity Blamed For Low Form One Reporting in Kerio Valley Schools
Worrying figures of Form One reporting numbers have hit Kerio Valley Secondary Schools in Marakwet East Sub-County after more than 150 students did not report to the school to be admitted.
Just 23 students out of the possible 192 had reported for admission to Form One by the end of the second week.
A secondary school a few kilometres from Tot centre which has been plagued by insecurity is set for exodus of students in the other classes and further worsening the situation.
The Acting Principal Mr Bonaveture Wandera said that starting from the moment the school was established in 1976 up to now, the school has never recorded such low numbers.
“The trend is getting worse if something is not done urgently to disrupt it. Last year 23 Form Ones were personally forced by chiefs to report to school. We have no otherwise but we continue with classes.
“The main issue is insecurity which had been getting worse also each year. Despite the school being a three-streamed school, the classes are half empty,” added Wandera.
At the moment of writing this article, the school had 11 students in Form Two, 34 in Form Three, and 38 students in Form Four.
Kerio Valley has been plagued by banditry and most of the students who are expected to be admitted to the school come from the highland areas and they find it difficult to travel to the insecure areas.
“Bright students from other classes are leaving the school leading to the school losing out on capitation and the little money we get is used for paying salaries. There is no development in the school and this has left the infrastructure in terrible shape.
“With most of the learners being overage, this has also contributed to the indiscipline cases and the parents have made it worse because they do not come to school whenever they are required,” added Mr Wandera.
According to the Principal, last year the school recorded a mean score of 4.8 and the school infrastructure is not in good shape with there being a lack of working science laboratories.
“Our laboratories were condemned by the Ministry of Public Works more than a year ago. Save for the library and two other classrooms, all other buildings are dilapidated and we are calling on the stakeholders to come to our rescue to help boost the school,” said the Principal.
On the other hand, the Kenya Union of Post Primary teachers has threatened to call on its members to boycott work if security is not restored. The Union’s secretary Paul Biwott says that the union was mulling on a possible strike if the attacks targeting them and near the school do not stop.
He added that the attacks have greatly affected learning in the region as both teachers and students fear for their lives.
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