Ijara MP Abdi Ali Sheikhow has promised to continue funding secondary education in his constituency through the National Government Constituency Development Fund by setting aside Sh50 million annually for the purpose.
Sheikhow said that the move will relieve parents of the heavy financial burden.
Since learning in the seven secondary schools in Ijara constituency, Garissa County was made free, progress has been recorded in the national examination occasioning improved performance, he said.
Deputy county director of Education Ibrahim Odowa commended the political leadership in the sub-county including MP Sheikhow, Garissa Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji, Governor Nathif Jama and his deputy Abdi as well as support from the Director General, National Intelligence Service, Noor Haji, who hails from the area.
Odowa at the same time lauded the role played by national and county departmental heads led by Ijara deputy county commissioner Wachira Champion, who ensured the examination was completed without major challenges.
Odowa said the security apparatus went beyond its limit to guard the exams in dangerous and disturbed areas, particularly along the Kenya-Somali border.
However, parents have raised concerns over the commitment of some school board of management members.
They said at Yussuf Haji Girls Secondary and Shurie Secondary School some of the BOM members are either not in Masalani constituency or have no students in the schools yet they are part of the school management.
They called for changes in the school boards every three years as per regulations to have good management that would champion the interest of the schools they serve to improve academic performance.
The parents said challenges facing schools include indiscipline, poor academic performance and the general welfare of learners, including the availability of laboratory, reading materials, books and adequate teachers.