Parents of Riverbank Academy of Kiogoro Division in Kisii County have been warned against involving their school children in funeral ceremonies and burial rites during school days.
The school's head teacher, Benard Mautia lamented that parent from the surrounding community for engaging their school children in funeral arrangements and burial rites during school days. He said he would not condone this as it leads to increased cases of absenteeism of learners which leads to poor performance.
Speaking at the school on Wednesday afternoon during the school's parent’s conference, Mautia told parents that they risk legal action from the government for withdrawing their children from school only to engage them in funeral programs and burial arrangements to the detriment of their education careers.
Flanked by the schools director of studies and examinations, Wycliffe Amoi, the head teacher regretted that turning school children into professional mourners had impacted negatively on their individual education performance, hence, contributing to overall poor performance in national examinations.
"I am reminding parents that having their school children engaged and involved in funeral arrangements and ceremonies during school days, contributes to their poor performance in class and national examinations," stated Mautia.
He said absenteeism from school among learners had become a serious challenge in the delivery of school curriculum in the region and continued contributing to poor standards of education and dismal performance in national examinations.