Two parents from Mwongori location in Borabu constituency were on Tuesday arrested by area chief for allegedly denying paying school fees to their children despite being reportedly able to do so.
Vane Ongige and Morris Ongige, who are said to be working in Nyansiongo tea factory and Nyansiongo district hospital, are alleged to have failed to pay school fees for their son who schools at St Mathieu’s Mulumba secondary school.
According to chief David Ogega, the son under the controversy is said to have dropped out of school on June after his parents reportedly declined to give him Sh8,000 that he owed the institution.
“The child has been desperately looking for help till he became open and reported the matter to a close friend who notified my office. I was compelled to take an action and we worked with Matutu police officers to arrest the individuals,” he said.
According to him, the two parents had accused their son of ignorance besides allegedly giving them constant threats and they reportedly took the measure to ‘discipline’ the boy.
“They claimed that the boy was ignorant and ever giving them death threats. I am surprised that they take the action to discipline the child instead of subjecting him to authorities. They will have to be taken to Keroka law courts to answer the charges,” he added.
Mr Ogega praised the school boy and warned parents of failing to fulfill their obligations of giving their children education as required by the constitution.
“As parents, we have an obligation constitutionally to take our children to school whether we agree with them or not. Let this be an example to parents who violate rights to education of their young ones,” he added.