Teacher Viona Koyie stands as a beacon of hope for many children in the community. Her classroom at Entasikiria Primary School is filled with 50 eager learners, despite the school’s modest setup. Surrounded by the majestic hills and rich Maasai culture, Teacher Viona’s dedication to education shines brightly, embodying resilience and the transformative power of learning.
Teacher Viona is part of the “Operation Come to School” campaign, which has been bringing out-of-school children back to the classroom since 2015. This initiative, a collaboration between UNICEF, the Government of Kenya, and local partners, seeks to address the cultural and economic barriers that prevent children in marginalized communities, especially in Narok, from attending school. Through community enrollment drives, many children, particularly girls, who had previously dropped out due to pressures like early marriage or domestic chores, are now returning to education.
As a product of a pastoralist community where education for girls was uncommon, Viona’s journey to becoming a teacher is a testament to perseverance. She credits her parents for defying cultural norms to ensure she could pursue her education, even sending her to Teachers Training College. Now, as a teacher, she is not only shaping young minds but also supporting her family financially, something few girls from her background would have imagined.
The “Operation Come to School” program has had a significant impact, enrolling over half a million children in its two phases between 2015 and 2023. This success is largely attributed to community leaders, such as local chiefs, who engaged parents in dialogues to highlight the importance of education for their children. Additionally, the initiative provided essential learning resources like school desks, bags, and stationery, easing the challenges of accommodating more students.
Beyond simply enrolling children, the program focused on retention. Teachers like Viona played a pivotal role in ensuring children stayed in school by offering psychosocial support and continuous follow-ups with families. Many of the re-enrolled children faced emotional challenges due to trauma, and the teachers, trained to identify and address these issues, helped them regain their focus.
With the extension of the program into 2024, Teacher Viona continues to inspire her students, urging them to dream big and pursue their goals, just as she did. Her unwavering dedication to providing quality education in a rural area exemplifies the profound impact that committed educators can have on the lives of children, even in the most challenging circumstances.
