HOMA BAY, Kenya – Parents and guardians have been encouraged to remain actively involved in their children’s lives and protect them from politicians and criminal groups seeking to recruit young people into violence and unlawful activities.
Speaking during a parents’ meeting at Ober Boys High School in Rachuonyo East Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Internal Security and National Administration PS Raymond Omollo said parents must closely monitor their children’s conduct, academic performance and associations to prevent them from being manipulated into political violence.
“I appeal to parents to know how their children are performing and to work closely with school administrations in addressing indiscipline. Our young people must never be allowed to become agents of violence or political goons,” Omollo said warning that young people often pay the highest price for political violence.
He urged parents, teachers and community leaders to work together to steer young people towards education, skills development and productive economic activities.
Omollo also called for closer cooperation between parents, teachers, students and school administrators to address indiscipline and student unrest.
His remarks come amid concerns over unrest reported in some schools, with the PS urging parents not to leave the responsibility of guiding and disciplining children entirely to teachers.
He challenged Ober Boys students to remain focused on their studies, attend classes, revise consistently and respect their teachers and parents.
“To the students, we value you, and respect you. That is why we are here, because we want the best for you. Do not take this opportunity for granted. Use your time wisely so that you can contribute positively to the transformation and development of our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PS also highlighted the Government’s investment in education, saying 100,000 teachers had been recruited over the past three years.
He said the Government had also made provision to employ another 20,000 teachers during the current financial year.
Ober Boys High School currently has 32 Teachers Service Commission teachers, 12 of whom were recruited during the past three years under President William Ruto’s administration.
The PS said the additional teachers were part of efforts to address longstanding teacher shortages and improve the quality of education.
He further said more than 23,000 classrooms and 16,000 laboratories had been constructed across the country to support the transition to the new education system.
The PS called on parents, alumni, elected leaders and local communities to complement Government investment by supporting the development of schools.
He noted the Government would continue working with elected leaders, National Government Administration officials and communities to strengthen discipline, support learner transition and ensure young people have opportunities to pursue education and contribute to national development.
Leaders present durin the meeting include; Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Homa Bay Deputy Governor Danish Otieno, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Kabondo Kasipul MP Dr Eva Obara, among others.
