Njoro MP, Joseph Kiuna has expressed concern over the high rate of school dropouts in his constituency calling on parents to be in the forefront in providing education for their children.
Addressing residents in Njoro Sub County the legislator accused parents of pressurizing their children to abandon school in order to eke a living from doing manual jobs at major trading centre. Kiuna urged the provincial administration and the child department to move in speed and seize parents who are denying their children an opportunity to benefit from free primary education.
“The number of street children in Njoro constituency is on the rise due to the rate at which children are dropping out of school. If the trend continues we are at risk of building more schools for nobody.” noted Kiuna. He said unlike in the olden days where children inherited wealth from their aged parents. Today's children risk living under the poverty line unless they are educated so that they can secure employment in civil service and in the private sector.
Njoro Deputy County commissioner Mohammed Hassan confirmed that the government was on the lookout of parents undermining the government efforts to fight illiteracy in the society. He said numerous claims have been brought to his attention adding that school heads have been directed to forward names of students who have terminated their education.
He cautioned members of the public especially traders who have been accused of employing underage children. ‘’I want to confirm that my officers are investigating several business people after receiving intelligent information on what they are doing involving underage children. We will notify you after making arrest.” Mohammed Hassan said. He added that those who will be nabbed risk prosecution and consequent closure of their business for violating children rights.