MP Calls for 100% Transition Priority in Education.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi has emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among education stakeholders to guarantee full student transition at all levels and enhance school performance in national examinations.
During a consultative meeting with education stakeholders focused on strategies to ensure student retention, Mwinyi urged head teachers to support the government’s directive on school transition by refraining from sending students home due to unpaid fees.
He encouraged School Boards of Management to explore alternative financial solutions to address monetary shortfalls.
Alternative Fundraising Mechanisms
Mwinyi expressed the importance of adopting alternative fundraising strategies such as community-driven initiatives, alumni associations, and forming partnerships to support school infrastructure and other essential needs.
He stressed that retaining students in school would enable school heads to use education as a tool to improve both their lives and those of their families.
He noted that education should be a transformative force, particularly for children from informal settlements, enabling them to achieve their career goals.
“I believe it is important for schools to seek alternative fundraising mechanisms such as exploring community-driven initiatives involving fundraising, alumni associations and forming partnerships to support infrastructure development and other needs in schools,” said Mwinyi.
The discussion was prompted by the increasing number of students being sent home due to school fees and additional levies.
Mwinyi highlighted the financial struggles of many families and insisted on finding alternative means to support children’s education. He urged leaders and school management boards to work together to keep children in school.
Head teachers were also encouraged to maintain discipline among students, ensure academic excellence, and collaborate with teachers to support parents’ efforts in their children’s education.
He assured stakeholders that collective efforts would result in producing responsible and skilled youth in Changamwe.
Bursary Administration and Student Discipline
Regarding bursary distribution, Mwinyi stated that Members of Parliament are well-equipped to administer bursaries since they already have established systems in place for disbursement.
Portreitz Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Nancy Njoroge urged parents to guide their children away from delinquency and focus on their education.
She pointed out the rising cases of robbery with violence among young people, warning that they often fail to realize the long-term consequences of their actions.
She emphasized the necessity of educating children about the gravity of their crimes to prevent them from jeopardizing their future.
John Mbadi, a parent, attributed the rise in criminal activities to children joining gangs and parental negligence.
He observed that many parents fail to monitor their children’s whereabouts, leading to undesirable behaviors.
He raised concerns about children staying out late with gangs and being recruited for work in the evenings, preventing them from completing school assignments.
He also noted that many young people spend time chewing khat while scouting for potential victims, creating a security challenge in Changamwe.
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Mbadi called for regulation and removal of pool tables from residential areas, citing their use as hideouts for delinquent children.
Michael Nato, another parent, emphasized the need for collaboration to address teacher shortages, absenteeism, and mental health awareness in schools, urging all stakeholders to take collective responsibility in tackling these pressing issues.
MP Calls for 100% Transition Priority in Education.
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