Children walking to school. [Photo/buchersblog.com]
Four parents have been arrested in Narok North Sub County for failing to take their children to school.
Area Deputy County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi said the culprits were arrested over the weekend after local chiefs and village elders embarked on an operation to apprehend parents whose children had not reported to school.
“All children who have attained 5 years and above must be in school. We will continue arresting parents who keep their sons and daughters at home, while their age-mates are busy learning,” he said.
Speaking in his office Monday, Mwiwawi advised parents who could not afford to pay school fees to apply for bursaries, available at the county women’s representative office, Constituency Development Fund, and the County government.
“There is no need to cry for fees because there are bursaries being given to needy students to ensure that no child is left out of school,” he said.
He said he had instructed chiefs and head teachers in his area of jurisdiction to display names of children benefitting from public funds to enhance transparency.
“We want to know who benefits from this kitty because we have had cases where few families benefit from bursaries while others who are more needy do not get anything,” said Mwiwawi.
His sentiments come only days after Narok County Commissioner Moffat Kangi decried the low admission of Form Ones in the county this year.
Kangi said only 54 percent of all the candidates who sat for KCPE in the county last year reported to their schools.
He attributed the worrying trend to outdated cultural practices including early marriages, FGM, child labor and moranism among other factors.
He said the county had more than enough vacancies to accommodate all the 2017 candidates, and there is no reason why those eligible should not be in school.
Kangi warned parents found marrying off their young girls instead of taking them to school and those engaging children in child labor that they risk being prosecuted.
Meanwhile, to ensure 100 percent transition is achieved, the government has paid Sh.22, 000 for every student and declared free day secondary school education.
About one million candidates sat for KCPE in the country last year and the government says there were enough secondary schools to accommodate all of them.