Narok Governor Patrick ole Ntutu has raised concern over the impact of frequent wild animal attacks on education in areas surrounding the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
He said the constant threat from wildlife has disrupted school attendance and contributed to poor performance in national examinations.
Governor Ntutu said many children living in villages bordering the Maasai Mara are forced to delay reporting to school and leave early to avoid encounters with wild animals.
“In some cases, pupils report to school at 9 a.m. and leave at 3 p.m. This disruption means teachers are unable to complete the syllabus on time, leading to poor performance in national exams,” he explained.
ALSO READ;
Kaimosi varsity hosts Jukwaa La Wasomi forum to champion peace and unity
Ntutu noted that the situation has also contributed to higher dropout rates, especially among girls, because schools are often located far from their homes.
“This has had a particularly negative impact on the education of the girl child,” he said, pointing out that many girls are forced to walk long distances in unsafe conditions.
To address the issue, Ntutu proposed the construction of boarding schools in the affected areas, saying it would protect pupils from dangerous commutes and allow them to concentrate on their studies. “We need to ensure that our children have a safe environment to learn and thrive,” he said.
The governor emphasized that his administration would work in collaboration with the national government to implement the necessary infrastructure projects.
He clarified that while county governments are primarily responsible for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers, the national government handles the construction of primary and secondary school infrastructure.
Gov’t to employ BoM teachers to cover ASAL teachers’ shortfall, Ogamba reveals
“We are committed to partnering with the national government to make this happen,” Ntutu assured.
He added that creating safer learning environments and reducing long commutes would help reverse the worrying trend of low completion rates and poor exam results in the county.
“Education is the backbone of our community’s future, and we must remove every obstacle standing in the way of our children’s success,” the governor said.
Ntutu called on community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to support these efforts to ensure that every child in Narok has equal access to quality education.
By Philip Koech
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
