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The plight of the boy child: Education crisis looms in Nakuru County

A silent crisis is brewing in Nakuru County, as an increasing number of boys are dropping out of school or failing to attain adequate education.

This alarming trend poses severe consequences for the individuals, their families, and the future of the county according to Samuel Karanja the Chairman of the Boy-Child lobby group.

Karanja said recent studies reveal a disturbing pattern of boys in Nakuru County disengaging from education due to a number of factors including economic constraints whereas many families struggle to afford school fees, uniforms, and learning materials, forcing them to prioritize basic needs over education.

In some communities, he added boys are pressured to engage in income-generating activities at an early age, such as herding livestock or working in the informal sector.

Karanja noted that some boys find the school environment unengaging or feel that education does not offer them viable prospects for the future. He said that peer pressure, drug abuse, and involvement in criminal activities also contribute to school dropout rates.

Additionally, the Chairman said the poverty in Nakuru County was slightly higher than the national average, due to vast areas that are semi-arid coupled with climate change.

He noted that the current global out-of-school children according to UNESCO statistics is 258 million and the majority are in developing countries and commended the World Bank for continuously reminding the developing countries that every one dollar they invest in education generates 10-15 dollars in economic growth.

Karanja said the repercussions of limited education for boys was far-reaching since it reduces employment opportunities, leading to low-paying or unstable jobs thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty, affecting their families and communities.

Worse still, he stated that lack of education can lead to increased vulnerability to crime, drug abuse and other social ills thus straining community resources besides compromising public safety. He gave an example of the Nakuru GK prisons that have more young men than elderly ones and the majority, unfortunately are school dropouts.

Furthermore, he said uneducated individuals are less likely to participate in civic activities, and make informed decisions, and that’s the reason politicians tend to misuse them during political campaigns.

To combat this growing problem he suggested a multi-pronged approach, which includes government intervention by increasing scholarships, bursaries and resources to needy families.

Karanja also urged local leaders, parents and community members to advocate for the importance of education and create supportive environment for boys to stay in school, including feeding them adequately as boys tend to eat more.

He gave an example of Nakuru Boys High School which was closed on Monday due to agitation for more food and milk in their tea.

Apart from that he appealed to schools to adopt engaging teaching methods and reduce the need for cramming since the boys’ mind set has limited capacity to cram naturally.

He further petitioned men, especially the educated ones to establish mentorship programs for boys in their villages claiming that doing so would lead to safe and secure communities.

Karanja emphasized that by addressing the challenges facing boys’ education the country can unlock their potential create a more prosperous society and ensure a brighter future for all.

By Veronica Bosibori

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