Muslims for Human Rights-MUHURI over the weekend trained 35 Kwale primary school heads on Countering Violent Extremism.
MUHURI Project assistant Officer Fredrick Okado and Human Development Agenda-HUDA Project manager Kashi Jermaine said last year’s survey placed primary school teachers at the center of terror war.
The study was done in Kwale from January to March.
It depicted poor academic performance in schools within insecure zones, insecurity was linked to terror.
The study further showed class attendance had dropped to below 26 per cent while Diani was the most affected area.
Transition from primary to secondary school also took a slap, the survey showed.
The study said problem stemmed from primary schools.
Jermaine said primary school teachers are at center of handling threats.
“Pupils aged 10-18 are the one targeted, most of them are in primary schools,” Jermaine said.
Mr. Okado said poverty led to school dropouts. He said the affected Students have been lured with money.
“MUHURI will support initiatives aimed at preventing VE. We urge parents and teachers to monitor students,” he said.
Okado said parents should also heed to school sermons.
Kenya Primary School Heads Association Msambweni Chairman Hussein Mlai said extremists in Kwale are fighting police and village heads.
He said they have learned how to detect signs of radicalization.
“Teachers must be keen with behavioral changes. If such is detected, one should address the situation with total care,” he said.
Separately, MUHURI with South Coast University Student Organization also held another forum to help students apply for university and college courses.
The activity was at Dr. Babla Secondary School.
Okado said this was the second-year-running they are sponsoring the initiative since its inception last year.
SCUSO Chairman Mwabagizo Ali said last year, they helped 2,115 students to apply for courses.
Ali said over 1,000 students will be assisted before Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Center portal is closed.
