- The Matungu MP urges administrators to act against perpetrators instead of allowing negotiated settlements.
- Teachers’ union officials also raise concerns over delayed and inadequate capitation funds for schools.
- Nabulindo calls for increased funding and timely disbursement to support the smooth running of schools.
Matungu Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Nabulindo has raised concern over an upsurge in teenage pregnancies in the constituency, which he said has resulted in school dropouts.
Speaking during the handover of a school bus to Ngairwe Senior School in Koyonzo Ward, Nabulindo said the local administration had become lax in curbing teenage pregnancies.
“You find that a culprit has impregnated a schoolgirl and, instead of being arrested, parents from both sides negotiate and leave the matter,” Nabulindo stated.
Call for action against perpetrators
The lawmaker pointed to schoolgirls who fall prey and discontinue their education, calling upon the administration to arrest perpetrators so they face the law rather than allowing negotiations.
“We shall not be investing in education and, every year, have school dropouts because of teenage pregnancies. We shall not allow the vice to continue in our constituency,” Nabulindo said.
At the same time, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) officials raised concern over delays in the release of capitation funds by the government.
They said the delays had led to a crisis, while the amounts disbursed were insufficient to run school activities.
Nabulindo echoed the sentiments, saying schools depended on National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries while capitation funds intended to support learners were delayed.
He added that inadequate capitation could not meet schools’ needs, pushing much of the burden onto the NG-CDF kitty.
READ ALSO: Proposed TSC grading structure promises faster progression as pay review awaits SRC
Nabulindo urged the government, through the Ministry of Education, to increase capitation and ensure funds reached schools on time.
By Hilda Atika
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
