Mwea, Kenya – Mary Maingi, the Member of Parliament for Mwea, has expressed serious concerns over the declining education standards in the constituency, attributing the poor performance in national examinations to prevalent drug abuse and child labor. This issue was the focal point of a recent education summit that brought together various stakeholders to address the challenges faced by local schools.
According to Kenya News Agency, Maingi highlighted the troubling trend in Mwea East and Mwea West subcounties, where schools recorded a mean score of less than 4 in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. She identified child labor, particularly in rice farming, and substance abuse as major distractions for students, adversely affecting their academic performance.
Maingi made a passionate plea to rice farmers in the region, urging them not to employ anyone under the age of 18. She emphasized the importance of education for children and the need for them to attend school. The Education Summit resolved to implement and follow up on recommendations to address these issues, with a focus on dealing firmly with parents and employers who engage students as laborers in rice paddies during school hours.
The problem of drug abuse in the constituency was also a significant concern, with Maingi revealing that drugs, including bhang, were being sold even in primary schools. She called on parents to be vigilant and closely monitor their children’s activities.
Mwea East District County Commissioner (DCC) Fred Ayieko highlighted the role of security teams in creating a conducive environment for education. He reported that operations have been intensified to combat the sale of drugs and illicit brew in the region. The security teams are also focused on arresting parents who fail to send their children to school, as part of the broader effort to curb child labor and promote education in Mwea.
This concerted effort by local leaders and security officials aims to restore Mwea’s former glory in education, ensuring that students can focus on their studies free from the distractions of child labor and drug abuse.