Parents of day secondary schools in Isiolo County have appealed to national and county governments to support them with relief food to reduce the burden occasioned by the prevailing drought.
The chairman of the parents’ association in Isiolo County Mr. Ismael Galma said 30 percent of students from day secondary schools have been sent away for fees arrears which the students pay to cater for food.
Mr. Galma said that previously school enrollment in both primary and secondary schools was high but noted it has decreased by 30 percent since most students have been sent home to collect fees for lunch at school.
He said that the government gave instructions to all head teachers not to send students home but things are different in Isiolo where even candidates who are sitting for exams next month are now at home.
Mr. Galma urged the County Director of Education Mr. James Nyaga to send a stern warning to head-teachers saying the education standards was likely to drop because of absenteeism.
He also appealed to Isiolo Governor Mr. Abdi Ibrahim Guyo to address the education issues and give out bursaries on time adding the County Government has not disbursed bursary funds for the last four years.
He added that apart from the prevailing drought, insecurity is the major contributor to dropouts and poor performance in Merti and Garbatula sub counties, which ought to be a top priority for the county.
Mr. Galma further said that the number of street children has increased and many children who were feeding at school are now begging in the streets which is a threat to future generations.
Contacted by KNA, the CDE Mr. Nyaga said he was not aware of any school where students were sent home for fees and appealed to all the schools to heed the Ministry’s directive to keep learners in school and work out appropriate plans to pay boarding fees.
Source: Kenya News Agency