Kenyan School Alters Learning Programme To Avoid Conflict With Wildlife

Rampant human-wildlife conflict has adversely affected learning at Irkilunyeti Primary School in Kenya’s Merrueshi, Kajiado East sub-county.

Pupils have been forced to attend classes from as late as 9am and leave by 3pm to curb attacks.

The school borders Tsavo East National Park and Nasaru Olosho Conservancy.

According to parents and teachers, roaming wild animals, especially elephants and hyenas, have affected education in the area as pupils strive to strike a balance between education and safety.

Area residents compete with wildlife for water and pasture leaving them with permanent scars and deaths.

Irkilunyeti Primary School head teacher, Samuel Mulenga, said elephants, hyenas and leopards occasionally interrupt class sessions while criss-crossing the compound.

Mulenga added that it is normal to find a leopard perching in one of the trees in the school compound in the morning, further adding that this trend has adversely affected education with the school posting low grades in the national examination.

A local non-governmental organisation has stepped in to save the situation by erecting an electric fence around the institution, which has more than 200 learners.

Mulenga said the school authorities are hopeful this fence will deter wildlife from accessing the school compound and pupils will be able to learn smoothly.