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 emerged some parents are yet to enrol their children who have become of age into schools while some are encouraging truancy compounding the situation even further.
A raid conducted in Kiharu’s Mumbi estate, Mjini slums, Township and Kambirwa areas on Wednesday 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 said 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 said after the holidays most children fail to resume school and the blame lies squarely on the parents.
“It is very unfortunate the parents are encouraging truancy and when a child is sent to bring their parent to school, they choose to hide them at home. Today you have seen some children had been hidden under the beds instead of the parents pursuing dialogue with the teachers so that children can stay in school” he said.
“Some have children who are above four years but are still keeping them at home and this is not going to be allowed,” he declared.
He urged the parents to encourage and ensure their children are in school as negligence goes against the rights of children which is against the laws of the land.
Echoing similar sentiments, his counterpart Samuel Gichia, chief of Milimani said action will be taken against parents who are neglecting their children by denying them the right to education.
He emphasised that the operation would go on until all children are in school.
“The government has ensured all the infrastructure is in place and has invested heavily in the education sector and therefore we wonder why any parent would want to ruin their child’s future by denying them a chance to go to school," he said.
He said the children who should be in school are instead roaming in nearby towns and have turned into begging from passers-by in Mukuyu and the town area.
“There have been numerous complaints from shop owners and this is bound to be a security risk if left unchecked, parents must ensure that their children go back to school,” he added.
Sharply refuting the claims, some of the parents who were apprehended reiterated that education in the country was not free as is reported because the school heads have been asking them for money and that is why they are unable to keep their children in school.
“My child is supposed to join PP1 but I do not have money to take him to school. I have two more in school and we are paying school fees yet education is supposed to be free” Elizabeth Wanjiru said, adding:
“Anytime we are called for a meeting in school, we are told we have to pay a certain amount, I have been jobless for years and as a single parent I am unable to provide food for my children let alone pay their school fees.”
Others cited a lack of crucial documents and high fees to access them as the reason why they have yet to enrol their children in school.
“I was asked to bring the birth certificate but when I went to apply for one and have the names changed, I was asked to part with Sh2000 at the registrars of births office, I walked away because I do not have such an amount,” Halima Fatuma said.
She said life is unbearable as it is, as even putting food on the table is insurmountable for her and fellow parents who do not have jobs.
Some parents also blamed domestic disputes as a major hindrance in ensuring that children remain in school.
