Pupils learn under trees after school was destroyed in ethnic clashes

By John Njoroge(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/pupils-learn-under-trees-after-school-was-destroyed-in-ethnic-clashes)

Pupils of Timoo Primary School in Mariashoni, Nakuru County are learning under trees after their classes were destroyed during skirmishes between members of two communities.

A spot check by Education News revealed that learners had borne the brunt of the clashes triggered by land disputes.

The school head teacher Wilson Kipyegon said desks were also stolen and pupils have been forced to sit on the ground during lessons.

“They are sitting on the ground because only one desk was left in the whole school by the vandals,” said Kipyegon.

Roofs, doors, windows and text books were also stolen during the incident.

He said many pupils were yet to report because their families had been displaced by the clashes.

“All the teachers have reported back to school but many pupils have still not reported,” said Kipyegon.

He said before the disturbances, the school had more than 600 pupils and 10 teachers.

He appealed to the government and well-wishers to assist the school to return to normalcy.

Sharon Chelang’at, a Class Eight candidate at the school, is however optimistic that her colleagues will come back and continue with their education.

“We call on the government to intervene and assist us continue with our learning,” said Chelang’at, who aspires to join Elburgon Secondary School and later the University of Nairobi to pursue a degree in Education.