Ida Odinga has called on Kenyans in positions of influence to support their former schools in a bid to boost performance in examinations and elevate education standards.
Mrs. Odinga was speaking at her home in Bondo constituency where she distributed over 1,000 assorted revision books to school heads of secondary schools in the area.
While acknowledging the positive impact by alumni associations, she encouraged learning institutions to tap into the potential of their former learners.
Ida reiterated that alumni associations were vital and also encouraged the private sector to increase its participation through provision of funds, resources, services and other meaningful programmes.
“Parents are currently faced with numerous challenges that they cannot afford to pay fees as well as buy learning materials for their children,” she said.
Mrs. Odinga noted that the academic performance in most of the area schools was wanting owing to insufficient infrastructure and learning materials.
“We can support learning in our former schools by even just contributing a pen. This will go a long way in helping the student who could not afford it,” she said.
She added that development projects such as equipping of libraries and provision of learning materials could be taken up by alumni associations.
Ida bemoaned schools that do not have alumni associations, because their former students are preoccupied with their own interests, and have decided to forget their alma mater.
She challenged the government to prioritize education so as to empower future generations.
“It is very sad when the government says there is no money to fund schools. They need proper planning in order to support our learning institutions,” she said.
By Erick Nyayiera
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