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| Resident Magistrate and Deputy Registrar of the High court in Nyamira, Beniah Okong’o |
Children have been challenged to take education seriously, in order to transform their future lives.
Resident Magistrate and Deputy Registrar of the High court in Nyamira, Beniah Okong’o, while presiding over celebrations to mark the o Day of the African Child (DAC) in Bondeka secondary and Primary school play grounds in the area said, the privilege of free basic education must not be taken lightly, so that children are able to achieve their dream careers in life.
Okong’o pointed out that the right to education as enshrined in the constitution has been prioritized by government, as it ensures that even the most vulnerable households can afford to take their children to school.
“The government is facilitating school going children by issuing necessities like exercise books, text books, bursaries to vulnerable children, while also issuing personal effects like sanitary towels, just to ensure that girls do not miss school,” he said.
The Magistrate confirmed that majority of the people who have made it in life have gone through a rigorous process of education, without losing focus on their vision, hence students require the same spirit to achieve their targets in life.
He encouraged children and parents present to report any incidents of child abuse including assault, sexual and gender based violence, as well as child labour so that youngsters can be protected against perpetual exploitation.
“Don’t allow cases of defilement to be handled at the kangaroo courts, it is illegal and denies such children access to justice, leaving them traumatized and psychologically tortured throughout their entire lives.
Also be wary of suspicious caregivers even in schools because the same people we entrust our children with, could be the same abusers and defilers. Always be alert on the whereabouts of your children and be greatly concerned about their safety,” the Magistrate stated.
The County director of children services Rasto Omollo, confirmed that the programme of supporting orphans to access education through the presidential bursary was still on course.
This is to ensure orphans and children with severe vulnerability are able to get full education scholarship for their secondary education.
Other agencies supporting child education in Nyamira include bursaries from the county government, the local National Government Constituency Fund and also from the office of the women representative, as well as the Ministry of Education (MOE) through Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
This year’s Day of the African Child (DAC) commemoration was themed ‘Education for all children in Africa; the time is now’.
Its celebrated across African countries every on 16th of June to ensure that all children have access to education as a basic right.
By Deborah Bochere