Education stakeholders have supported the move by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to regulate the consumption and sale of muguka, a stimulant.
The County Government of Mombasa has imposed a raft of measures including banning the sale of stimulants near schools and a two-fold increase on cess charges for muguka trucks.
Education stakeholders congregated at St. Lwanga Primary School in Changamwe during a post-event to commemorate the Day of African Child (DAC) this year, under the theme, ‘Education for all children in Africa: Time is now.
The County Children’s Coordinator Gabriel Kitili said the move to regulate will ensure the retention of children in schools and boost performance in examinations.
Kitili revealed that information from the Ministry of Health shows that some school-going children are abusing substances like muguka.
“We are really behind our Governor if this thing can be banned our children will be safe here in Mombasa. We want our children to be sober so that they get the necessary education not to be distracted by these drugs like muguka,” he said.
He added It’s the right of every child to get an education even children living in slums have an inalienable right to education.
The coordinator stated that they have to ensure all children are in school across the six sub-counties as evident in the transition to secondary schools where the county achieved 100 per cent transition.
The Children’s Department intends to conduct a survey in the 2024/2025 financial year to determine the number of children who are out of school.
“Our main concern is the street children so that we may know how to handle them and take them to school. Some of them are not from Mombasa we know how we can take them to their counties of origin,” said Kitili.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi vowed to ensure children get the best education urging teachers to mould well children passing through them to have a better future.
“You’re the shapers of their lives, you’ll determine who they will be. Take their lives seriously with love and comprehension because their success depends on your input,” said Mwinyi.
He added that parents play a pivotal role in their children’s upbringing from shelter, food and education.
“You must work if you’re indulging in muguka consumption, alcohol you won’t be able to work and you’ll lack the ability to provide good nutrition and other basic needs,” Mwinyi advised parents.
The legislator further challenged children to work hard irrespective of their race, use their time constructively, take part in sports, and religious activities, and respect their parents to be able to compete with the rest of the world.
“Be proud as an African as you’re equal to anyone in this world. You can compete with anybody and you can be the best,” said Mwinyi.
Changamwe Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator said they are collaborating with all departments and organizations to ensure children are in schools.
He encouraged teachers not to send away children over lunch and other needs but to retain them in schools.
“We are engaging the Department of Education that it is not a must for all children to eat lunch. Those who cannot afford their parents will know what to do but sending a child home because of lunch we should stop that,” said Yator.
Sub-County Education Officer Waithaka Wamburu said no children should be left behind as education is a right it’s not a privilege for children
Waithaka noted that the Ministry of Education has put in place all the mechanisms including mentorship, the right to be in school and feeding programs for the informal sector to ensure children in schools.
He urged parents to take their children to school despite of harsh economic times as education is a child’s right whether a parent is capable or available.
Patience Mboni, a teacher thanked the International Justice Mission (IJM) for training teachers to be able to empower their students to raise their voices when they are abused to get help and justice.
By Sadik Hassan
