World Bank Commits to Enhancing Security and Education in Kenya’s Volatile Regions
NAIROBI—The World Bank has announced a significant initiative to establish and enhance boarding facilities at primary schools in Kenya’s volatile regions, aiming to provide safe learning environments for children in areas frequently disrupted by banditry.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Bank’s senior education specialist and the task team leader for the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning (KPEEL) program, the plan includes upgrading at least ten schools in such counties to accommodate boarders from regions where educational activities have been severely affected by insecurity.
During a visit to Samburu County, Charo and KPEEL National Coordinator Martha Ekirapa engaged with local officials and stakeholders to discuss the progress and future steps of the five-year KPEEL initiative. The mission assessed the educational challenges and needs in the county, particularly in light of recent school closures due to security concerns. Samburu County Commissioner John Cheruiyot endorsed the establishment of two boarding facilities in the central sub-county, highlighting the urgent need to provide a stable learning environment for children from the affected communities.
The local education director, Mohamed Ali, reported significant educational disruptions and dropouts among children from areas plagued by banditry, emphasizing the urgency of the World Bank’s intervention. The planned boarding schools aim to mitigate these impacts by offering secure accommodations, thereby encouraging continued education despite the prevailing security threats.
Furthermore, the visit to Nontoto Primary School revealed inadequate conditions for boarding students, prompting immediate fundraising efforts to improve their living situations. The initiative reflects a broader commitment by the World Bank and its partners to address educational disparities in Kenya, ensuring that children in even the most troubled regions have access to quality education.