Poverty, Child-headed families push many out of School

Nakuru Monday June 12, 2023

KNA by Anne Sabuni

Stakeholders and parents at Chepseon Primary School in Salgaa, Nakuru County have called for concerted effort to combat truancy, even as commercial sex work and alcoholism, threaten children survival.

Lack of food and abject poverty had driven many children out of school as they sought menial jobs to boost their family earnings to afford at least a meal a day

Speaking at the school over the weekend, the stakeholders decried child negligence among parents who drowned in alcoholism and commercial sex work, causing many school children to seek employment to provide for their siblings.

“Salgaa township has grown as a result of many long-distance trucks making a stop over here. Businesses are thriving, but so are vices that have left many homes unmanned," decried Jeridah Wanjohi. 

She noted that the increased absentee parenthood had even driven many children to the streets resulting in a bulging street population.

Her sentiments were echoed by Chepseon Primary School tutor Lenah Cherop, who decried absenteeism with stigmatization of children from extreme poor families leading to dropout.

"Some pupils are unable to concentrate in class as a result of hunger and even lack of basics such as school uniform and sanitary towels for girls leading to low self-esteem," added Cherop.

World Vision Kenya Board Vice Chair Grace Munjuri, while regretting these circumstances that exposed children to violence, sexual abuse and child prostitution, noted the need for urgent intervention to salvage the situation.

"World Vision’s Salgaa Area Programme, in collaboration with the County Government of Nakuru has focused on transformative interventions. The Belbur Water project that has enhanced provision of water at Belbur as well as the donation of 260 desks at Chepseon Primary schools are just but a few interventions to lift the weight off parents’ shoulders.

We are also conducting public awareness campaigns and life skills training to combat child protection challenges as we seek to transform the lives of the children and in turn break the poverty cycle for the children to reach their full potential in life," added Munjuri.

Courtesy ; K. N. A