Murang’a: Barely two weeks since schools reopened for the first term of the school calendar, cases of truancy have been reported, and this has caught the attention of the local government administration and the department of children services in Murang’a. It has also emerged that some parents are yet to enrol their children, who have become of age, in schools while some are encouraging truancy, compounding the situation even further.
According to Kenya News Agency, a raid conducted in Kiharu’s Mumbi estate, Mjini slums, Township, and Kambirwa areas saw the officials from the children’s department and NGAO engage in a cat-and-mouse game with parents as they moved door to door in search of children who are yet to start or resume school. During the exercise, 19 parents and 35 children were flushed out and taken to the children’s department with plans of taking the children back to school kicking off.
Charles Muna, senior chief township location, observed that the operation was aimed at ensuring all the children go to school since they have a right to education, which is the only chance for them to uplift their lives. He lamented that after holidays most children fail to resume school, and the blame lies squarely on the parents. He expressed regret over the fact that some children were hidden under the beds by their parents instead of pursuing dialogue with teachers to keep them in school.
Muna further stressed that some children over the age of four are still kept at home, a practice that will not be tolerated. He urged parents to encourage and ensure their children are in school, highlighting that negligence violates the rights of children and contravenes the laws of the land.
Echoing similar sentiments, Samuel Gichia, chief of Milimani, noted that action will be taken against parents neglecting their children by denying them the right to education. He emphasized that the operation would continue until all children are enrolled in school. Gichia questioned why any parent would deny their child the opportunity to go to school given the government’s investment in educational infrastructure.
He also pointed out the issue of children who should be in school roaming in nearby towns and begging from passersby, which poses a security risk. Complaints from shop owners have been numerous, and Gichia stressed the necessity for parents to ensure their children return to school.
However, some apprehended parents refuted the claims, arguing that education is not free as reported. Elizabeth Wanjiru, a parent, explained that school heads demand money, making it difficult to keep children in school. She mentioned her struggles as a single parent, unable to provide basic needs, let alone school fees.
Other parents cited the lack of crucial documents and high fees to obtain them as barriers to enrolling their children. Halima Fatuma described the financial challenges, noting she was asked to pay for a birth certificate, which was unaffordable. Domestic disputes were also highlighted as a significant obstacle in ensuring children attend school.