Parents in Busia County have been slammed for being major contributors to poor results across the county due to the high level of irresponsible parenthood and don’t care attitude which has left school principals with minimal effort to salvage the dying education status of learners.
Speaking at Nyakwaka Girls in Funyula constituency during the Subcounty education day, Prof Okumu Bigambo who graced the occasion as the guest speaker faulted parents for inciting learners to become rebellious and less aggressive something which saw entire county producing only 3 A grades in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Prof Bigambo warned parents of the impending danger of a thuggery generation if the state of parental negligence in Busia which stands at 45% is not addressed amicably before it escalates into a rebellious generation.
“We must have a conversation as parents of Busia and arrest this situation of parental negligence which has now been transferred to our institution of learning resulting in poor grades we are witnessing in national exams,” noted Prof. Bigambo.
“All education stakeholders born in Busia and Busia professionals must come back and chat a way forward. We must not treat this as a normal Entire County getting only 3 A plains whereas in other regions one school has over 200 A’s,” he added.
Prof Bigambo urged Busia parents instead of being supportive to schools that perform better, they are now leading gossip chats and calculations on how to throw school principals out of schools and cause unrest.
“If as a parent you are not ready to support the school around you please don’t be the champion of destruction,” Prof. Bigambo said.
The sentiments were echoed by area MP Dr. Oundo Mundenyo who noted that the rate of parental negligence in Busia has compromised the education of most learners leading to poor results and school dropout in recent days.
Dr Oundo warned administrators and security personnel not to entertain disco-matanga at all cost, noting that it has destroyed the beauty of education in the county.
“It can’t be that Busia is only known for gender-based violence and crimes cases centered around the Busia child yet we were the first people to produce professors in the entire republic. What happened to the glory we had in education,” said the MP.
The legislator noted that it is disturbing to see the county of Busia with the highest number of school dropouts occasioned by teenage pregnancies and after effects of disco-matanga, a tradition which is only celebrated in Busia.
“For us to realize positive and resilient results in both primary and secondary schools we must sacrifice and embrace the spirit of cooperation as opposed to subjecting our teachers to opposition and strikes,” the legislator added.
Dr. Oundo noted that they are launching a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) that aims at mopping out all learners who are not in school even the PWDs learners, in line with government directive of ensuring all learners have access to basic education.
The subcounty education day theme was on the role of parents, parenting and support to the education sector (Effective and Responsible parenting for Quality education,”
“Parents, guardians and caregivers are the crucial partners in the education process. By actively engaging in their children’s education through communication with teachers, participating in school activities and providing an enabling environment, parents remain vital in shaping their children’s education pathway,” noted the legislator.
Samia Subcounty education director Susan Mitei urged parents to monitor progress of their learners, lay a good foundation and instill discipline and value for better collaboration in schools.
19 out of 21 schools in Samia subcounty improved in last year KCSE results resulting in 90.5% improvement with 785 learners securing direct university entry grade of C+ and above which translate to 28.2% of total candidature.
However, 793 students scored D plain and below which represent 28.5% wastage. The Subcounty failed to produce grade A student despite producing a mean score of 5.045 and emerging the best Subcounty after Butula.
Bujwanga secondary school was the most improved school in Samia Subcounty with a positive deviation of 1. 479.Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology were the worst performed subjects in the Subcounty for three years in a row with stakeholders now pondering on the career pathway for most learners in Busia.
Dr. Oundo further used the forum to launch the disbursement of 42 million bursary cheques to needy bright learners.
By Absalom Namwalo
