Kwale County’s School Dropout Crisis
The Department of Children in Kwale County has expressed concerns about the significant number of children out of school, despite the government’s efforts to ensure a 100% transition rate.
At the Jomo Kenyatta Primary School on Thursday, Msambweni children’s officer Johnstone Kivuli discussed a 2019 UNICEF report indicating that around 17,000 children in the county were not attending school.
He reported that initiatives to track these children and assist in their enrollment had seen some success, with over 7,000 returning to school. However, he noted that the duration of their stay in school was often brief.
Challenges and Contributing Factors
Several challenges have been identified as contributing to the high dropout rates. Financial constraints are a significant barrier, and some parents have been criticized for marrying off their underage children.
Addraya Dena, a judge in Kwale, emphasized that every child has the right to education and highlighted the collective responsibility to support children’s learning.
“Every child has the right to education and it is the responsibility of everyone to support their learning,” Addraya said.
Residents have been urged to report cases where parents involve their underage children in labor or arrange their marriages to the authorities for appropriate action.
| Challenges Identified | Details |
|---|---|
| Lack of funds | Financial constraints hinder children’s education. |
| Child marriages | Some parents marry off their underage children. |
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Conclusion
Addressing these issues requires a community effort to ensure all children in Kwale County receive the education they deserve.
