Learning paralysed in Kapedo schools as teachers stay away

ITEN: Learning in most schools in Kapedo, Turkana South is still paralysed as non-local teachers are yet to report to school citing insecurity.

Kapedo Mixed primary school head teacher Joseph Emoit said over seven teachers have not reported.

"Non-local teachers have not reported because they fear for their lives. It is a challenge to the pupils who want to be taught," he said.

Mr Emoit was left with a bullet wound last year after the car he was traveling in was ambushed by bandits on his way to Kapedo centre from Lokori.

"As a head teacher, I cannot force them to report to work against their will. It is upon the Government to ensure the region is safe for all non-locals," he said.

Emoit noted that most parents-teachers associations have employed unqualified personnel.

Investigations by The Standard revealed that in Kapedo Secondary School, teachers have not resumed and the students are catching up on their own. Pupils of Kapedo Girls Primary School were relocated to an area near Kapedo Secondary School at the height of insecurity in the region and are yet to be taken back to the institution. Kapedo Chief Josphat Lopalal said students are in school but there is no learning.

"No teacher is willing to report to school and if the situation persists, the students will have to go back to their homes," he said.

New Silale School situated 30km from Kapedo has also not reopened in what locals attribute to insecure roads.

Last year, a teacher from Kapedo Mixed Primary School was shot dead by bandits while travelling in a General Service Unit vehicle.

According to Lopalal, the road between Kapedo, Kasarani and Lokori is still impassable and most locals prefer using the Marigat route to access foodstuffs. Turkana County Commissioner Tuitoek Bullut, however, downplayed the issue, saying the recent teachers' strike and lack of transport is the reason most tutors have not reported to school.

"The regions do not have public means and mainly rely on lifts from security vehicles," he said.

He said despite the presence of security officers in the area, Turkana and Pokot have their own fears but no attack has occurred so far since President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the area.

GRAZING FIELDS

Meanwhile bandits stole over 525 sheep and goats were stolen from Kasurokorio grazing fields in Kalengmgorok, Turkana South on Tuesday.

Kaputir Chief Charles Lopuya said one herder was injured during the afternoon incident.

He said over 25 raiders ambushed herders who were at the grazing fields and shot one person on the neck before escaping with the animals.

"Kenya Police Reservists countered the attackers but they managed to escape," he said.