By Kipilat Kaptuya
Leaders from pastoral areas have opposed the move by the Government to abolish boarding primary schools saying it will affect education standards leading to a drop in enrollment of learners.
Boarding schools has saved many children in the area from outdated practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early forced marriages since many act as rescue centers.
According to the leaders, there is need for the government to engage the public over the matter before carrying on with the plans.
Sigor MP, Peter Lochakapong and his Kapengurua counterpart Samuel Moroto pointed out that the nomadic way of life of many parents can’t allow learners to be in day schools.
“The distance between schools and learner’s temporary homes will make most of them drop out of school. It will also be a challenge for them to go to school in the morning and back in the evening to their parents,” Mr. Lochakapong said.
Speaking at Seker, Lochakapong called on the Ministry of Education not to impose many regulations in registering schools in semi-arid marginalized areas.
“The government has many policies while registering schools yet many of our people are thirsty for education.” he said.
On the other hand, Moroto noted that schools in the region are far from learners and urged Ministry officials to visit the region and assuage the situation.
“Boarding schools have helped us a lot. Belio Kipsang should walk around and see for himself. It is wrong for the government to rush in making some decisions,” he said.
He appealed to the government to come up with affirmative action to promote education in all remote pastoral communities which were marginalized during previous regimes.
Mr. Moroto said setting up of boarding schools in the area will increase the retention of learners especially in primary schools as well to act as rescue centers for girls escaping FGM and early marriages.
