Mombasa: East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislator and Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has pledged to improve education standards by establishing one-stop community centres in all 30 wards to nurture talent and help steer young people away from drug and substance abuse.
According to Kenya News Agency, Shahbal, during a consultative meeting with Christian clergy, highlighted the low transition rate from public schools to universities compared to private schools. He explained that these community centres would prepare students for national examinations and facilitate their transition to higher education.
The EALA legislator recounted his experience with a tuition programme he initiated in 2012, which faced challenges from political interference. Shahbal emphasized the importance of education as a tool for improving livelihoods and assured the allocation of necessary resources to the sector. He stated, “We have to find a way to improve our education system. It is our responsibility to ensure our youth make it to high school and from high school to university.”
In addition to educational improvements, Shahbal promised to allocate Sh50 million per ward annually for youth empowerment initiatives, stressing the need for local solutions to local problems. He urged the clergy to encourage parents to prioritize their children’s education, regardless of their own educational backgrounds.
Shahbal also addressed concerns about religious discrimination, assuring that as a Muslim governor, he would equally support all religious communities in Mombasa, given its cosmopolitan nature.
