Education Crisis In West Pokot

Education Crisis In West Pokot

Education Crisis In West Pokot

The Department of Education reports that around 48,000 students in West Pokot County are at risk of not making progress in their educational journeys and require educational support to continue their studies in secondary schools and institutions.

Poverty and drought circumstances that make it difficult for pastoralists to raise their animals have made the problem worse.Over 48,000 students in West Pokot County, according to the education department, require financial aid to finish their education.

According to West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, despite the fact that a Ksh. 600 million scholarship program is being introduced for the students, additional funding is still required to meet the needs of the huge number of pupils.

“Kwa sababu umaskini bado iko nyingi na unaona sehemu kubwa ya West Pokot ni sehemu kame na watu wake bado wanatembea na mifugo wao kutafutia malisho kama nyasi kwa hivo inafanya watoto wengi wabaki nyumbani,” stated Kapachin.

The economy of many West Pokot County communities depends on cattle. But pastoralists have recently been distressed by the drought. Due to their reliance on livestock sales to cover school fees, this circumstance has impacted parents who are keen to send their kids to school in an effort to combat illiteracy in this community.

“Inahitaji uuze kama mbuzi kumi, kumi na tano ambayo kama huna mtoto nakaa nyumani” a resident Simon Kukat said. “Saa hii kama mimi niko na watoto wanne na wanahitaji fees,” another James Kedomuk lamented.

Furthermore, according to Kachapin, his government has spent more than Ksh. 500 billion to improve the perception of West Pokot County. He also pleaded with chiefs and their appointees to make sure that pupils enroll in schools.

“Kaunti mda mrefu walibaki nyuma kwa masomo na maendeleo yote ndio unaona west pokot umewekwa kwa kikundi ya marginalized counties, tuna launch pesa nyingi milioni mia sita ambayo tunalaunch kama kaunti ili isaidie watoto wetu,” he claimed.

The Kenya Demographic Health Service (KDHS) study from 2023 states that 67% of the populace lacks literacy. If parents recognize the value of education and kids take advantage of the scholarship program, this number might drop.