Mombasa: Parents have been urged to work closely with teachers by actively monitoring their children's academic progress to improve examination performance in Changamwe Constituency and help secure a better future while breaking the cycle of poverty. Speaking during the issuance of NG-CDF bursary cheques worth Sh43 million, Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi emphasized the importance of education in building critical thinking, strengthening innovation, promoting social cohesion, and preparing young people to participate meaningfully in national development.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwinyi lauded the introduction of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, which aims to equip learners with practical skills, enhance critical thinking abilities, and nurture talents that prepare them for the modern economy. He highlighted that through NG-CDF bursaries, Members of Parliament can support students from vulnerable families to access education and prevent them from dropping out due to financial constraints.
"The bursaries we are issuing today represent more than financial assistance. They represent an investment in the future of our young people and the future of this constituency. However, it is important to note that bursaries are meant to complement, not replace, the role of parents," said Mwinyi. He also promised to facilitate a benchmarking visit for schools in the constituency to some of the best-performing schools in the country.
Teachers were advised against sending learners home because of remedial class fees, which the legislator termed as unfair to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mwinyi shared his personal teaching experience, where he provided free education and accommodation to students, achieving remarkable results without charging fees.
He urged the Regional Director of Education to address the issue and review the teacher-to-learner ratio to ensure parents are not burdened through the recruitment of additional teachers by school Boards of Management.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir commended the continued support of NG-CDF in ensuring education remains accessible to children in Mombasa. He revealed that the County Assembly had passed the supplementary budget and that Sh40 million in fees owed to private schools would be settled. To further reduce the cost of fees in public day schools, the Governor announced a school feeding programme for all public senior school students across the six sub-counties.
The initiative has significantly reduced school fees, with early impact assessments showing attendance improvements and enhanced student concentration in class. Coast Regional Director of Education Ann Kiilu expressed concern over the region's KCSE performance, urging parents to motivate their children to excel in national examinations and achieve high standards expected in the Competency-Based Education system.