Narok County Intensifies Efforts To Ensure 100 School Attendance
County Officers Mobilized for School Attendance
Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia has issued a directive to National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to ensure all school-age children return to school as the new academic calendar begins.
The officers will conduct door-to-door campaigns, moving from village to village, to identify and mobilize any children who have not reported back to school.
Accountability Measures for Parents
Lotiatia emphasized that parents will be held accountable if their children fail to return to school. Non-compliance could lead to arrest and prosecution:
“We are committed to ensuring no child is left behind. Schools must provide lists of absentees, and officers will follow up to achieve 100% transition,” he stated.
Addressing Barriers to Education
Narok County has historically faced challenges such as:
- Teenage Pregnancies:
- In 2016, Narok had the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Kenya at 40%, according to the Kenya Health Demographic Survey (KHDS).
- Improvements by 2022 saw the rate decrease to 28%, ranking the county fourth.
- Early Marriages and FGM:
- Cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages have led many girls to drop out of school.
- Reintegration of Pregnant Girls:
- Lotiatia urged pregnant school-going girls to return to class, emphasizing that their condition should not bar them from education.
Striving for 100% Transition
The County Commissioner reiterated the goal of achieving 100% transition, ensuring every learner resumes their education despite challenges. Schools have been tasked with accounting for all students and reporting absentees to authorities for immediate action.
This renewed focus on education reflects Narok County’s commitment to combating cultural and social barriers, ensuring that every child receives an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.
