Nambale Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mulanya has criticized the Ministry of Education over the formula used to place Grade 10 students stating that it could lead to the closure of some schools due to uneven enrollment.
Speaking at St. Ann’s Kisoko Girls during an NG-CDF bursary issuance, where Sh51 million was disbursed to secondary and tertiary students, Mulanya said the experimental placement system has resulted in overcrowding in some schools while others remain severely under-enrolled.
“The formula used to place students was not the best. As Members of Parliament, we do not support it. We want school principals to be given the opportunity to select students instead of the process being fully controlled by the Ministry. It has created serious challenges, with some schools left with as few as five students,” he said.
He called on education stakeholders to work together to improve academic standards in Nambale Sub-county, emphasising the importance of shared responsibility.
“We are reducing the burden of school fees so that our children can stay in school. This investment in education requires collective effort. As I play my part in paying fees, teachers and parents must also take responsibility, while learners must remain disciplined and work hard,” he added.
Mulanya also raised concerns over teachers’ conduct, noting that unprofessional behavior has eroded parents’ trust and negatively affected school enrollment.
“When teachers misbehave, parents lose confidence in them. A parent who sees a teacher drunk cannot trust them with their child’s education. That is why some schools are losing students,” he said.
He further urged parents to prioritise educating the girl child as a way of promoting gender equality.
“Gender equality cannot be achieved if girls are not educated. They must be empowered to compete equally and access the same opportunities as boys in all sectors,” he said.
Nambale Deputy County Commissioner Carolyne Onchoka challenged school principals to improve academic performance, warning against poor results.
“Principals must work harder to ensure better results. We do not want situations where parents withdraw students due to poor performance,” she said.
She also added, “Parents also need to guide their children. Some have neglected their role, and I have had to turn my vehicle into an ambulance, rushing students to hospital to give birth during national exams.”
Onchoka also condemned the continued practice of disco matanga, saying it has contributed to moral decay among young people.
“This practice has destroyed our children’s future. It has cut short the dreams of future professionals due to early pregnancies and drug abuse. We will not allow it to continue. Our children are our investment, and we must protect them,” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
