By Nasratu Kargbo
Children in some villages in Bo district have been walking for more than five miles to and from school, according to the Vice Principal of Agricultural and Vocational Secondary School in Jerehun, Gerald G. Khama.
He called on the government and other stakeholders to provide a bus for children in that part of Bo whilst talking to Journalists after an assessment and engagement between ActionAid, school authorities, and pupils in a bid to assess the academic impact the institution has on the children. The event took place on the 29th of September.
He called on the government and other stakeholders to ensure that they provide school buses that will be plying along Bo highway. He acknowledged that they have school buses in the district, but was quick to say that the buses only ply within the city of Bo and that the children in the villages in the district are left to trek their way.
Khama praised ActionAid for efforts made in returning some girls to school and empowering others with skills training but mentioned that some children have been missing out on some lessons due to lateness. He explained that some children live far off and have to travel from other villages on foot to school.
He explained that after school many of the pupils go to the lorry park in search of hitch-hike out of tiredness despite being warned to stop the practice.
Speaking on the impact this has had on the children’s learning, the chief explained that the situation remains a big problem, explaining that this set of students are not the only ones going through this constraint and that others before them also went through the same problem.
Khama also stated that the children are exposed to a lot whilst trekking to and from school, highlighting motorbike accidents, and abuse amongst others. He said they have advised the children to walk in groups in order for them to be safe and protect each other.
The vice principal expressed appreciation to Action Aid for the help rendered to children, explaining that many children have returned to school through the NGO and others empowered with skills training. He also mentioned how ActionAid has been helping to complement the government’s effort in its radical inclusion in education, noting that they’ve even allowed a pregnant girl in school as a result.
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