Parents working in Kipkebe and Magura tea estates in Nyamira County have been challenged to take their children to school following the reported high number of children dropping out of school.
Speaking on Wednesday at the tea zones when he met parents, Borabu Education Officer, Samuel Okong’o blamed parents on the stalemate and urged them to remedy the situation before the government chipped in.
According to him, many parents had resorted to secretly sneaking underage children to help them in tea farms in a bid to get higher pays.
“We have evidence that many students from this region have dropped out of school to help you in farms contrary to the law. You have a chance to remedy the situation or we, as office of education we will recommend stiff actions against those who may be found culpable,” he said.
Okong’o called upon the estate management to carry out routinely checks to ensure the minors are not used to perform the function that is outlawed by the education Act.
“The management of the tea estate must come clear on this. They must execute routine check to ensure children stay in school when they are supposed to be there,” he said.
However, factory’s Assistant manager in charge of operations would neither deny nor admit the claims but vowed to take an action against those who might be found culpable.
“I cannot confirm the claims but any parent who might be found culpable will be definitely sacked,” he said.