By Kamundia Muriithi
When news of poor performance by their former schools in the 2016 KCPE trended in a social networking site, professionals from Kagaari South Ward in Embu County were jolted to action.
Apart from Ngeniari Primary that had posted impressive marks by the standards of day public schools, the other 14 schools in the zone had performed so dismally that they become the laughing stock in social media sites.
Through the Kagaari South Reformist Forum Facebook group, the youthful professionals, instead of lamenting about the poor performance, resolved to come together to identify the causes and seek solutions.
They identified the involvement of children in miraa (Khat) farming and trading, gambling and early marriages as some of the contributing factors.
Led by the group’s founder James Muriithi, Embu Director of ECDE Jeremiah Wanjau and area MCA Robert Ireri, they decided to hold annual ward educational days to motivate pupils.
Wanjau said they committed to sponsor a common exam for the 15 schools and during the educational day, they would fete top performers and best teacher in each subject in KCPE.
“We organised the first Education Day in June 2017. We contributed Sh200,000 for presents and other logistics. We had pupils, teachers, motivational speakers and education stakeholders come together and talk about education issues in a bid to improve performance,” said Wanjau.
He said speakers implored parents not to involve children in miraa work.
They also identified poor infrastructure in schools and staff shortage as contributors, and engaged the Education Ministry and Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Recently, the alumni, who comprise 70 active members, organised the second Education Day at Ugweri Primary where they contributed Sh300,000, which financed the various presents, cash awards and trophies for best schools.
Embu Woman Representative Jane Wanjuki, on the other hand, funded the lunch for the about 3,000 pupils who attended.
Wanjuki promised to sponsor a motion in the National Assembly spearheading the welfare of the boy- child so that they can pursue the opportunities education offers without obstacles such as child labour.
She pointed out that many boys drop out of school in the county to work in miraa farms, citing the Education Day where about three-quarters of the pupils involved were girls.
Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi emphasized on the need for parents to take a keener interest in their children’s education.
