Multi-million-shilling school built in West Pokot to address peaceful coexistence on border

Education

The government has constructed a multi-million-shilling primary school in West Pokot County to serve as a hub of peace and education for the residents of the County and for the neighbouring communities. Sangak primary school situated in Pokot central Sub County is an initiative from the government to provide quality education while fostering peace and stability amongst communities affected by banditry.

The school is situated in an area that historically faced challenges related to conflicts and limited access to education resources along the boundary of West Pokot and Turkana counties. Managing Director for the Rift Valley Region in the President’s Delivery Unit Olando Sitati said that the school would be a center of peace and education.

Sitati led a team from the Office of the President who visited the school to inspect the quality of the ongoing construction work and the sustainability of the project, and the potential impact on the local community. He noted that the construction of the boarding school is progressing well, with approximately 80% of the work completed.

Mr Sitati expressed its satisfaction with the construction progress, stating that the government is optimistic about launching the project within the next two to three weeks following the final phase of construction, making it a valuable resource for different communities.

He noted that the inspection of the Sangak primary school construction work is an essential task for the government and for local stakeholders to continue monitoring its progress and gather feedback from the community to ensure that the school facility meets the needs of its students and serves its intended purpose as a center for peace and education.

Sitati reiterated that they have listened to concerns raised by local residents and added the government is committing to enhancing security in the school area. West Pokot County director of education Simon Wamae, praised government efforts in coming up with a multi-million-shilling project in an area that is historically faced by security challenges.

Wamae remains optimistic that the educational project will bring significant positive changes, not only for the local population but also for neighboring communities. He said that the new facility will help address major challenges in the area, such as addressing education disparities along the area prone to insecurity.

“The boarding school at Sangat Primary School is part of a broader effort to enhance educational opportunities in areas affected by insecurity,” Wamae said.  He said the project is establishing a safe learning environment and is poised to attract students who might otherwise have been hindered by safety concerns in the region.

The education director said the assessment indicates that the school has the capability to accommodate 800 learners, covering the Early Childhood Development Education (EDCE) through to primary level. West Pokot Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Wycliffe Munanda emphasized that the school project aims not only to improve education access but also to foster harmony and peaceful coexistence among communities and reduce cattle rustling activities.

He disclosed that the school is a project of the Government of Kenya, with funding provided by International Development Association (IDA) through Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). DCC Munanda called for collaboration between local and national authorities to ensure the success of the school project, pointing out that the project will bring a positive impact to the lives of students in West Pokot County.

He said that the establishment of Sangak primary school was a pivotal step in addressing the issue of school dropout rates attributed to insecurity in the region. ”As we all know this area has high school dropouts due to insecurity cases, we believe the project will give many children in these areas access to education,” said Munanda.

Joseph Segetei, the head teacher of the border peace school thanked the government for its commitment to the peace border school project, which is nearing completion. He expressed his optimism that the school would soon be operational, marking a significant step forward for the community.

However, he raised important concern regarding the safety of the students and the premises, given the school’s location in a border area prone to banditry activities. Segetei emphasised the urgent need for a perimeter wall to be constructed around the school, adding that security is paramount for reassuring parents and encouraging them to enroll their children in the institution.

He said there is a need for proper security measures to be put in place, fearing that parents will be reluctant to send their children if insecurity concerns are not addressed.

“As much as we are going to start the school very soon we have some challenges that we would like to highlight, the school is situated along a banditry-prone area and we would like the government to extend in constructing a perimeter wall around the school,” said Segetei.

He emphasized the importance of providing adequate transportation for students attending school, particularly given the significant distance between the school and neighbouring villages. The head teacher underscores that while the school will ultimately serve as a boarding facility, the provision of a bus is essential to alleviate the burden on students who would otherwise have to walk long distances daily.

Furthermore, Segetei highlighted the necessity for the school to receive sustainability support during its initial operational phase, until it secures its National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) code, noting that the code is crucial for formal recognition and funding, and adequate support during the school grace period will help ensure the school’s successful establishment and functioning.

The construction of Sangak primary school is part of the Government of Kenya’s initiative that aims to promote peace in the North Rift region where children from different communities can learn and live together.