Mr. Maina Wangatho the Teso North District area education Officer.

Youth in Teso North district have been urged to embrace education and stop engaging in early marriage aacording to Mr. Maina Wangatho who is the area education Officer.

Addressing parents and teachers during the prize giving day at Ikapolok Primary school, he revealed that many youth have quit schools due to early marriages.

 “Education standards in the area has immensely deteriorated due to rampant cases of school dropouts and young boys indulging in chang’aa drinking, which has impacted negatively in  education sector,’’ said  Maina.

 He asked them to uphold the spirit of reading saying that it is the key to their bright future.

“ Our children should bear in mind that nothing comes on a silver platter, and the only way to get rid of looming poverty is through going to school,’’ the officer said

 The officer implored that stern actions will be taken against parents who will be found hold children at home.

“A door to door search will be undertaken to arrest irresponsible parents and to crackdown those employing young children.”

 He insisted on cooperation between parent’s teachers and children to achieve wresults, “Parents should support education by paying school fees on time to help their children to get ample reading time,’’ Added Maina

 Kenya Wildlife Service ICT director Geoffrey Ipalei who was the guest speaker at the function pleaded with parent to give education first priority saying that it is the only precious gift on earth they can give to their children.

 “Parents should always be on the forefront to ensure they take their children to school, let them invest in education’’ said Ipalei.

Ipalei further told parents to avoid using poverty as a pretext of not educating children rather asked them to invest in farming. He promised that Iteso Empowerment Forum (ITEF) in which he is a member will ensure that all their farm produce finds market to enable them get school fees for their children.

As part of motivating pupils, a Malaba based businessman Hassan Wanga promised to sponsor shopping for all pupils who will secure admit ion in National schools in the forthcoming KCPE examinations. He further asked parents to avoid discouraging their children by claiming they cannot afford secondary school fees rather should let them perform well to attract sponsors and support from well wishers.