Arrest parents who fail to take children to school, Ruto orders

Deputy President William Ruto (in purple tie) is welcomed to Embu County by
leaders from the region for a fundraiser at Sacred Heart Kyeni Primary School
yesterday. Ruto said it was no longer optional for parents to take their children
to school. [PHOTO: JOSEPH MUCHIRI/STANDARD]

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has directed the Provincial Administration and security agents to arrest and prosecute parents who fail to take their children to school.

Mr Ruto expressed outrage over the high number of pupils who abandon schooling in arid and semi arid areas despite the Government's commitment to free primary and affordable secondary education.

Ruto particularly took issue with the manner in which 10,000 pupils in primary schools and another 1,000 in secondary schools in Isiolo County have abandoned schools in the last five years, calling for concerted efforts in reversing the trend.

He said the Children's Act states that every child shall be entitled to education and directed the county commissioners to ensure parents who failed to take their children to school in areas under their jurisdictions are arrested.

Speaking during a funds-drive in aid of Garba Tula High School in Isiolo on Saturday, the Deputy President demanded answers from the county government and education stakeholders from the area as to how such a large number of pupils could abandon education, and the plans they had to reverse the trend.

"Statistics in this county show that there are 25,000 pupils, down from 35,000 in primary schools, and 2,200 students down from 3,200 in secondary schools in the last five years. This is a crisis that must be addressed," said Ruto.

Ruto was accompanied Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki, senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet), Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo), Fatuma Dulo (nominated) and Governor Godana Goyo (Isiolo).

HARAMBEES

"Educated citizens are a great resource for a country and I thus call upon all leaders to show seriousness in development of education," said Ruto.

He said from the time free education was introduced, it was no longer optional for parents to take their children to schools.

Ruto, who also laid a foundation stone for the construction of Garba Tula Technical Training Institute, said the Government has set aside Sh25 million to revive the fallen giant, Garba Tula High School, so as to restore its previous glory. He added that Sh20million will be dispatched to the institution in the next one week.

Kindiki, Kuti and Murkomen dismissed those opposed to harambees to help build schools among other projects, saying institutions cannot be devolved without such funds.