- Steve Mogaka calls on parents and government agencies to protect children and ensure school attendance.
- Speaking at Nyagachi Secondary School, the MP stresses that education is a shared community responsibility.
- Schools are urged to follow up on absent learners and establish barriers to their attendance.
West Mugirango Member of Parliament Steve Mogaka has called on parents, government agencies and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that every child of school-going age is in school and protected from child labour.
Mogaka said children should be in classrooms receiving education rather than being engaged in labour and other activities that could interfere with their education and future.
Speaking at Nyagachi Secondary School during a prayer day, the MP urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s education by ensuring they attend school regularly.
He said education is a shared responsibility and should not be left to teachers and schools alone.
“Every child is supposed to be in school. Our children should be learning and preparing for their future, not being exposed to labour,” Mogaka said.
He called on parents to closely monitor their children and ensure that they report to school and remain committed to their studies.
According to the MP, some children risk missing out on education when they are involved in labour or other activities that take them away from school.
He urged parents facing economic challenges to seek available support rather than allowing their children to engage in work that could affect their education.
Mogaka also called on government agencies and other institutions responsible for child protection and education to strengthen efforts to identify children who are out of school and help them return to learning.
He said no child should be left at home when they are supposed to be in school.
Community involvement
The legislator stressed that protecting children from child labour requires the involvement of the entire community.
“It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that every child gets proper education. Let us not expose our children to labour work. Child labour is illegal. Let us ensure that every child gets an education,” he said.
Mogaka further urged community leaders, teachers, parents and relevant government agencies to work together to address the challenges that prevent children from attending school.
He said children who remain out of school are at risk of losing opportunities that could help them build better lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
The MP encouraged parents to create a supportive environment at home and to work closely with teachers to monitor their children’s progress.
He also urged schools and education stakeholders to follow up on learners who are frequently absent and establish the reasons behind their absence.
Mogaka said the fight against child labour should begin at the community level, with parents and local leaders taking an active role in protecting children.
He maintained that every child has a right to education and should be given an opportunity to attend school without being forced into labour.
His remarks come as schools and communities continue to call for greater attention to children’s education, particularly those from vulnerable families who may be at greater risk of dropping out.
Mogaka said concerted efforts by parents, schools, government agencies and the wider community would help ensure that children remain in school and are protected from practices that could undermine their education and future.
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He urged all stakeholders to make keeping children in school a shared priority and to take action whenever a child is found to be out of school or engaged in child labour.
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