Girls Must Remain in School, Kwale Community Vows

Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Parents, teachers and local administrators of Kombani in Kwale County have embarked on community dialogues aimed at tackling cases of teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence (GBV) and barriers to girls’ access to education.

Through forums, organised by Zamara Foundation, they sought to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure children, especially girls, remain in school and enjoy their right to education in a safe environment.

Held under the theme, “Strengthening Safe and Inclusive Learning Spaces Through Positive Parenting, Community Participation and Child Protection in Kwale County,” the meetings brought together teachers, village elders, school board chairpersons and local administrators to discuss challenges affecting children’s welfare and learning.

The education stakeholders expressed concern over persistent cases of early pregnancies, child neglect, violence, school dropout and other social challenges that continue to undermine educational opportunities for girls in the county.

The discussions also addressed the growing cases of school unrest, with parents and education stakeholders attributing the trend to weakened communication between parents, teachers and learners.

Speaking during the opening session, Kombani chief Salama Musa Suleiman said the government would continue promoting parental responsibility and mentorship programmes to guide learners and curb indiscipline.

Parents attending the dialogue acknowledged that the increasing cases of unrest in schools point to a widening gap between parents and their children.

“We have a role as parents. We need to follow up on our children’s behavioural change because what we are witnessing currently shows there is a gap between parents and children,” said one parent from Kombani.

Teachers called for closer cooperation between schools and families in addressing learners’ challenges.

“The solution is between us, the teachers, the parent and the child. We ask parents to be our friends so that we can share any information, good or bad, about the children,” said one of the head teachers.

Discussions during the day-long forum focused on creating safe learning spaces and addressing child protection concerns, including violence, neglect, online risks, child labour, early pregnancies and gender-based violence.

Zamara Foundation Programmes Officer Risper Kengere said the organisation has intensified efforts to protect the girl child by combating teenage pregnancies and ensuring girls remain in school.

“We want a collective responsibility where teachers, parents and the child talk and agree on issues to avoid victimising children, especially girls. We want the girl child to get the right education and their rights to be protected,” she said.

The officer expressed concern over the increasing involvement of girls in school unrest and acts of arson, saying it reflects gaps in parental guidance and support systems.

“It’s astonishing to see how even girls are being involved in unrests of burning schools. This shows there is neglect of responsibilities at home.”

She urged parents to work closely with teachers to restore discipline among learners.

“Parents must listen to teachers, they should also give their children guidance, and we will see a decline in the indiscipline we are experiencing.”

Kiteje Junior Secondary School headteacher said the dialogues would help strengthen discipline and child protection systems in schools.

Mohamed Said, the board chairperson of Pungu Primary School, said many cases of indiscipline stem from poor parenting and lack of communication between parents and teachers.

“The community dialogues are enlightening us as parents. We are seeing problems in society escalating and these can be solved through dialogues between parents, teachers and the child,” he said.

At the close of the meeting, participants pledged to strengthen collaboration between parents, schools and the wider community in protecting children, safeguarding girls’ education and promoting discipline.

Zamara Foundation has maintained to heighten organisation of similar forums across the county to uphold children’s rights, address teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence, and improve learning outcomes.