A Women Representatives has insisted that good values should be instilled on learners as a way of curbing immoral behavior that might emerge.
Kisii woman Member of Parliament, Dorice Donya Aburi, has started a Career mentorship programme in schools as a tool to shape and guide the youth on their journey to becoming responsible and productive members of the society.
Speaking at Nyamagwa Mixed Secondary School during career mentorship of learners drawn from the county, Donya said that mentoring programs can be seen as formal mechanisms for establishing a positive relationship.
She noted that lack of guidance has caused high cases of school dropouts, defilement, HIV/AIDS drug abuse and early pregnancies in Kenya.
According to Donya, the aim of the program was to mentor learners to be better people in society and to help them grow spiritually physically and mentally.
She decried over increase of teen pregnancies and HIV/AIDS among the teenagers in Kisii County which has increased social evils in the society because learners were adopting what grown-ups were doing.
“The reason as to why I have started to move to school to talk to learners, “she said.
She cited that for the society to have a well-developed society, it is a collective responsibility of everyone to take initiative in raising children.
Donya said that there’s need for teenagers to be equipped with the necessary skills as they enter adulthood.
She cited that mentorship programs provide opportunities to learn and grow skills and attain a new level in learning.
“The reason as to why we have come with mentors to share with the learners, cited that mentors not only offer support, encouragement, wisdom and teaching, but they also provide knowledge from their experience which students can learn from and apply in studies and professional life afterwards, “Donya said.
She said that over time, a mentor is able to recognize mentee’s strengths and weaknesses and thereby help them to become a better version of themselves.
Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni said that career coaching provides the mentee with an opportunity to connect with established professionals in their field as the young professionals build their career networks.
Omogeni cited that the knowledge, tools and skill sets required in industry are constantly changing.
Kisii nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri said mentors also serve as important professional networks that learners always find useful after studies.
Okenyuri noted that there is need for parents to monitor their children closely saying the duty of training and proper upbringing of children should not be left to teachers only.
“Lack of close monitoring of children by parents may create a loophole for young people to be lured by their peers to engage in social evils,” she said.
West Mugirango Mp Steve Mogaka said that social virtues should be stemmed in the education curriculum to help in nurturing young people to grow up being responsible persons, a group of mentors.
Mogaka said that there is need for effective mentorship programs to nurture skills, alongside classroom learning.
He said that it is critical that the gap between university and industry is bridged as this is key when it comes to employment.
Kitutu Masaba Mp Clive Gisairo also advised girls to give education priority and avoid being indulging in some behaviors which may ruin their future.
The leaders said that the ongoing demonstrations is affecting education sector and asked president William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue.
By Elizabeth Angira
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
