Nairobi Learners Express Concerns over Insecurity and Drug Abuse
Learners at Nairobi School Primary and Junior Secondary are making an appeal to education stakeholders to shield them from the dangers of drug and substance abuse. They’re calling for a strong crackdown, highlighting that these drugs are readily available in the vicinity of their schools. Furthermore, they’re raising concerns about frequent muggings, particularly during morning and evening hours.
These concerns were voiced during the inaugural ‘Nairobi Region Education Dialogue’ meeting, where students gathered to discuss the challenges they face. This meeting follows a recent warning from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) about the alarming rate of drug abuse among school children. The data also reveals that many of these young students struggle with cancer and mental health issues.
Governor Johnson Sakaja emphasized the importance of ensuring that all learners, regardless of their social and economic backgrounds, have access to quality education. He noted that this conference provides a unique opportunity to directly hear from children about their needs, helping to improve educational intentions and ensure every child not only develops but thrives.
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Sakaja also reiterated the county government’s commitment to expanding the school feeding program due to the inadequacy of current facilities, aiming to provide nutritious meals to keep children in school.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris praised the meeting as a valuable platform for understanding the challenges faced by learners. She acknowledged that factors like family issues, trauma, and social problems can affect students’ mental health and emphasized the importance of creating a loving environment and promoting open communication.
Passaris also pledged support in the form of a grant to assist the Alternative Providers for Basic Education and Training (APBET) Association in their efforts within the informal sector.
Nairobi Learners Express Concerns over Insecurity and Drug Abuse
