Concerns have been raised over the high number of KCPE students failing to attend classes in the Msambweni constituency in Kwale.
Kinondo senior area chief Ali Riga said that the candidates desert schools immediately after registering for the national examinations.
“A huge number of standard seven and form four students discontinue learning after being enlisted as candidates,” he said.
The most affected schools are Muhaka, Kinondo and Madago among others.
The efforts to bring the children back to school he said have proved to be futile.
The chief said he has tried to hold several talks with the students and their parents but the candidates end up reverting to absenteeism.
“The school principals and I have tried our best to sort out the issue with parents and even engage the students but after some weeks they go back to their behaviour,” he said.
It is believed that the candidates disappear mostly to Mugoka and Miraa bases while others are seen doing boda boda work.
Similar cases have been reported by parents in the Matuga sub-county where KCPE and KCSE students are accused of taking drugs and joining juvenile criminal gangs.
Riga said the situation is faltering the county’s efforts in becoming an academic giant.
He said a big per cent of the candidates in his area are unable to produce a single A in normal exams yet they boycott learning.
Riga said the vice has also been transferred to form ones who are performing poorly with the highest-grade being C plus in most of the schools in Kinondo.
The area chief appealed to county leaders and parents to join hands in keeping students in schools.
He expressed concerns that the county bursary kitty might go to waste if learners are not taking their education seriously.
Recently, the Kwale government increased the bursary funds from sh4oo to sh5under the Elimu ni Sasa Initiative.
The program was launched in 2013 by former governor Salim Mvurya and Fatuma Achani, the current governor.
The bursary is designed to support the education of bright needy students and vulnerable groups.
The program targets vulnerable bright students in high schools, tertiary colleges and universities across the county.
Riga said it’s sad that students are not taking advantage of the bursary program to improve their lives.
“It is heartbreaking that our children are not using this opportunity to work hard and further their studies to become responsible citizens,” he said.
The administrator urged the parents to raise their children well and urge them to value education.
Riga said learning is the only way people can fight against illiteracy and poverty
