{
  "id": 18752086,
  "title": "Laikipia North learners risk dropping out as distance to secondary schools bites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/laikipia-north-learners-risk-dropping-out-as-distance-to-secondary",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T17:04:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/laikipia-north-learners-risk-dropping-out-as-distance-to-secondary-schools-bites"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Children in Laikipia North are finding it difficult to continue their education due to the long distances to secondary schools and the high cost of boarding, prompting calls for the government to build more secondary schools and provide special assistance to marginalized communities. This issue was brought to light during a donation of 40 desks to Lekinji Comprehensive School by philanthropist Jimmy Waigwa on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Waigwa highlighted that some learners finish primary school without a nearby secondary school, with the nearest high school located about 25 kilometers away. Many parents cannot afford the fees for boarding school and related expenses. Waigwa urged the government to ensure that primary schools serving marginalized communities are connected with nearby secondary schools, so students can continue their education without long travel or expensive boarding arrangements. He warned that girls who do not move on to secondary school may face increased risks of early marriage, while other children might be forced into child labor. Waigwa argued that education initiatives should consider the unique challenges faced by pastoralist families rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all approach. He also questioned why hardship areas for teachers in remote locations should not also be considered hardship areas for the parents raising children there. Waigwa emphasized that government investments should focus on building the necessary infrastructure, such as classrooms and secondary school facilities, to keep children in school. He called on community leaders to address these challenges instead of engaging in political disputes in Nairobi. The donation of desks to Lekinji Comprehensive School helped address an immediate shortage of classroom furniture, allowing students to have proper places to sit and write during lessons. Parents appreciated the support, noting that the desks would improve comfort and classroom participation. Nimo Abdullahi, a parent at the school, thanked the donor for the assistance and suggested that other leaders and well-wishers should contribute to support schools facing similar difficulties, as community efforts could complement government initiatives to improve education facilities. While the desks alleviate the immediate problem, the concerns raised by Waigwa and parents underscore a larger issue: children in remote communities need access to both primary and affordable, accessible secondary schooling. The situation in Laikipia North highlights the need for targeted interventions to ensure that students who complete primary education have a clear path to further schooling. This appeal underscores the government's responsibility to make education accessible to children in marginalized and pastoralist communities, regardless of their location or ability to cover additional schooling costs.",
  "summary": "Children in parts of Laikipia North are struggling to progress to secondary education because of long distances to schools and the high cost of boarding, raising calls for the government to establish more secondary schools and introduce targeted support for learners in marginalised communities. The concerns were raised on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during a […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Children in Laikipia North face long distances to secondary schools.",
    "High boarding costs deter many learners from continuing education.",
    "Philanthropist Jimmy Waigwa donates 40 desks to Lekinji Comprehensive School."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}