Parents who do not take their children to school and instead use them as labourers have been put on notice.
Speaking today in his office, Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago said that every child has the right to education as enshrined in the constitution and anyone infringing that right will be arrested and brought to book.
“There has been an increment in the rate of school dropouts in primary schools and yet the national government is offering free and compulsory primary Education where their parents are using them as a source of their economy, such parents will be arrested and prosecuted with immediate effect,” he said.
He added that children who reside from slums and poor background will be assisted to go to school since it’s the only investment that a parent can pass to his/her child that will be used that will be used to transform the community.
Governor Mandago also complained of the risen rate students not going to school in the name of doing home chores and yet the national government is offering compulsory and free primary for all.
“According to the Children’s Act in Kenya’s Constitution every child has the right to education and any parent who is not taking a child to school will be arrested and charged, while those in dilapidated conditions such as slums should be assisted to go to school since it’s the only investment that a parent can pass to his generation to transform the Nation,” he added.
He added that Uasin Gishu County Government will build rescue centres that will be used to accommodate street children and thus street children will be a thing of the past.
He further questioned Education Cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi competence in the Ministry where it is purported to have referred Uasin Gishu County leaders as tribalist for interfering with the Management of University of Eldoret and yet their aim was to settle the leadership wrangles that University was facing.
“The management of the University of Eldoret should style up if not will call a public participation for Wananchi to decide on how it will be run and the likes of Kaimenyi should be shown the door since they are derailing the implementation of the jubilee manifesto on improving the quality of education,” he said.