Education in Garrissa under threat after IG urges school heads to employ private security guards

The effect of insecurity in Garissa County is now being felt by innocent souls all over the country especially students in Garissa. The learners in this county are going through problems as their non muslim teachers from others parts of the country deserted them for fear of being the next victims.

The students' hopes of studying have been dashed down following the teachers' escape which has resulted to closure of some schools while others still operating without teachers. Most students, particularly those preparing for their national exams in November have resorted to teaching themselves. Others just go to play while wothers do not attend at all. What does this imply? I see this as a threat since the young souls may decide to drop out of school once and for all and this might tempt them to join terror groups.

The promise by the government to enhance security in North Eastern Kenya institutions is certainly not bearing fruit following Friday’s statement from Inspector General Joseph Boinet who ruled out deploying police officers to schools and asked school heads to employ trained guards terming security as a joint responsibility. The government has the responsibility of providing students and teachers with security and this can be achieved by increasing the number of police officers in schools and tightening security in teachers’ residential places. The government should stop handling insecurity in Garissa as if it has given up to al-shaabab. Kenyan live there too, and they are entitled to their right of security.