Principal decries high rate of school dropout

Homa Bay, Wednesday, May 24, 2023,

KNA by Sitna Omar

The principal of John Mbadi Koyombe Mixed Secondary School has asked for support in establishing a boarding facility to ensure students complete school.

Simeon Nyamolo said most students lived in far areas and having a boarding facility would help in ensuring they are retained in school.

"They have difficulties making it to school due to the nature of the terrain, especially during rainy seasons where they completely stop coming to school and a boarding facility will solve these challenges," he said. 

Nyamolo noted there is a high dropout rate of students from the school and that the highest level of education for most students in the region is form two.

“There is a high dropout rate as most report to school in form one and after the first term, they disappear and later you find that they are just roaming in the villages,” he said.

The rate of completing secondary school is also low in the region, a matter that is also alarming.

With a population of almost 157 students, Koyombe secondary has four government teachers and the rest are paid by the Board of Management.

The principal said the school is the first and only secondary school in the region and blamed marginalization saying it’s the reason why residents in the area do not attach any importance to education.

He also blamed parents for not being strict with their children, adding the children have control over their parents who do everything that their children want.

The proximity of the school to most homes is about 7 kilometres and with this distance, there is a high level of absenteeism by the students who tire in the long run and eventually quit school.

“When we follow up with the parents, the students adamantly refuse to come back to school. Majority of parents here give in to their children’s demands,” he added.

Age is also a factor behind school dropout and due to late enrolment to school as some reach secondary level of education when they are approaching their 20’s or are already in their 20’s and so they realize they do not need to continue with their studies.

Parents fail to enrol their children who are ready for Early Child Development Education (ECDE) because they believe at that age, it is not safe for them to walk to and from school alone.

“As a result, parents here enrol their children at the age of 8 to 10 years when they are old enough to go to school on their own and by the time they are at class five, they quit school thinking they are too old to continue studying,” said Nyamolo.

Early pregnancy is also a challenge that contributes to school dropout as there are high cases of teen pregnancies as a result of poverty.

Malongo sub-location is characterized by bushes offering an ideal environment for men to lure girls into sexual activities in between school and home.

Courtesy ; K. N. A