In an effort to keep Kenyan girl children in school, the Isiolo County Director of Education Hussein Koriyow has called for joint efforts from parents to protect the girl child against outdated cultural practices, sexual abuse and early marriages.
The education officers took into consideration that many girl children were disturbed during studies due to problems that can be addressed , if parents came together to help them. “There is need for all stakeholders to protect the girl child for them to continue with their education,” said Mr Samuel Kiragu, representing Dr Koriyow.
The country has recorded 32 girls impregnated in 27 schools since the schools closed sometime in March due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, not only teenage pregnancies have kept children away from school but female genital mutilation, early arranged marriages following outdated family practises.
Another important factor as to why girl children drop out of school is because of lack of regular supply of sanitary towels, which leads them to have sex with men in exchange for pads. Many girls come from poor families and it leads them to go looking for money from uncalled for places.
It has also been noted that parents assign girls more tasks than boys, denying them ample time to study while at home, consequently affecting their performance. To help these girls, the government came up with school feeding programs and provision of sanitary towels for girls.
To the girls, Dr Koriyow asked them to report any form of mistreatment, abuse and exploitation to authorities for action to be taken against the perpetrators. The Dr is working with teachers, parents and the national government to ensure all the Grade Four, class eight and forum four learners are back in school.
