Director of education for Lugari sub county Mr. Francis Shikanda has expressed his concern over gender disparity in public schools within the sub county where girls have dominated classes compared to boys.
Addressing education stakeholders, Shikanda expressed his worry over the low number of boys attending schools in the sub county.
He said the reverse situation was shocking arguing that for the last couple of decades, the ministry of education has done its best to ensure that girls received the same consideration and opportunities to participate in the classroom as boys but it is unfortunate that after years of attempting to create equality, the gender fissure in education still exists.
“The difference is that now boys are the ones being left behind as girls wheel ahead. The culture of the classroom has totally changed here in Lugari and become more inclusive of girls as opposed to boys.” said Shikanda.
The sub county education boss blamed child labour and ‘boda boda’ business for the ballooning cases of absenteeism in public schools.
“Our preliminary investigations have revealed that most boys are abandoning classrooms for ‘bodaboda’ business in a bid to earn quick money,” said Shikanda who warned owners of motorbikes against employing students.
The director of education appealed to parents and the local administration to help his department in ensuring all school going children are in class during official academic calendars and urged the police department to crack the whip against underage motorbike operators.
He further accused a section of community members of abusing children rights and protection by engaging students in casual labour at the expense of academics.
“The level of school absenteeism within our public primary and day secondary schools in this region is usually very high during crop planting, weeding and harvesting seasons,” noted Shikanda who threatened to take action against adults involved in the vice.
The official stated that more than hundred pupils were absent in one of the local schools during a recent inspection tour that was conducted by his office.
“Our enquiry into the issue disclosed that most of the absent pupils had been engaged into casual labour,” the official revealed.
He called on all education stakeholders to work together towards improving academic standards for the sub county.
“Our target is 276 marks and C (plain) grade for primary and secondary schools respectively for the national examinations this year,” he said.