By Norah Musega
Dr. Ida Odinga has called on leaders and parents to work together on an initiative ‘linda kesho’ programme that is aimed at reducing the number of early pregnancies, marriages and drug abuse among school going children.
Mrs. Odinga said it was important to protect children and to give them the privilege of access to education as a springboard for a better future.
While speaking at Migori Primary School during the grand commissioning of four classrooms constructed by Suna West National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) worth Sh4.5 million, she applauded the efforts of the area member of parliament for his efforts towards enhancing a conducive learning environment for the learners within the region.
Mrs. Odinga who is also an alumni of Migori Primary School however challenged learners to learn on how to protect the available learning facilities within their respective schools and to focus more on academic activities rather than destruction of properties through fire or by any other means.
“You have the privilege of accessing education in this school because those who learnt here before like me took good care of them and therefore you should also emulate the same for those who will come after you. Education is a privilege that every child deserves and I urge parents to ensure their children are educated,” said Mrs. Odinga.
She had also challenged elected leaders to help educate children within their area of representation which can be done through bursaries, harambes or sponsorships to give equal opportunity to the future generation of being self-independent.
Her sentiments come a week after the wife of Migori County Senator Agnes Ochilo called on other leaders to join efforts towards assisting parents carry the burden of educating their children.
Mrs. Ochilo said bursaries offered by NG-CDF was inadequate to meet the need for school fees support by parents following adverse economic challenges brought by covid-19 pandemic in the country that saw several parents lose their jobs.
Also at the venue was the Principal Secretary, State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education Dr. Julius Jwan who issued a warning to parents that they will have to bear the burden of paying for destroyed property.
Dr. Jwan told parents to train their children well to stop directing their anger and disappointments towards destruction of school property saying the Ministry of Education together and members of parliament through the NG-CDF have spent a lot of money to enhance infrastructural development in schools.
Jwan said it is a pity how much the government spends on creating conducive environment for learners in public schools just to be destroyed within minutes by indiscipline students.
He called on parents to take up their parental obligations seriously to help secure a better future for their children and to curb indiscipline among learners.
“We as parents must teach our children to avoid destroying school property whenever they are not in agreement with anything. You cannot burn down your own house because of a disagreement but you sit down and talk about it to find a solution. Let us teach them how to embrace dialogue as a means of getting an amicable long lasting solution in schools,” said Jwan.
Other leaders who also graced the occasion were Migori County senator Dr. Ochilo Ayako, Women Representative Dr. Pamela Odhiambo, the area Member of Parliament Hon. Peter Masara and other members of Migori County Assembly.
