Kagera.org

[kamala]

Education Stakeholders in Kagera to Meet

MEDDY MULISA in Bukoba,
10th February 2010 @ 11:00,

KAGERA Region will soon convene a stakeholders' meeting to discuss the falling standard of education in the region, it has been learnt.

Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr Mohamed Babu, told the 'Daily News' today that in recent years the region's development in the education sector had dropped at an alarming rate calling for urgent measures.

Citing data, he said during 2008 a total of 51,304 pupils sat for the Standard Seven examinations out of which 32,665 or 63.6 per cent passed.

During 2009 a total of 51,002 pupils sat for the exams out of which 28,351 or 54 per cent passed.

Again, during 2008 a total of 32,159 pupils were selected to join Form One, equivalent to 98.8 per cent while during 2009 a total of 28,351 pupils passed the exams but the region can only accommodate 24,000.

Generally, the education sector had been falling gradually for the last four years. He said the region recorded a 76 per cent success during 2006 , which dropped to 73.1 per cent during 2007.

''Again, during 2008 it dropped to 63.0 per cent while during 2009 it stood at 54 per cent'', he said.

''The region cannot give a blind eye. We have to find a quick answer for this pressing problem,'' he said.

The Regional Commissioner has also expressed disappointment following reports that a total of 264 girls in the region dropped out of school during 2009 due to pregnancies.

Out of the number, 165 were in secondary schools, while the other 99 were attending primary schools. Some of the girls dropped out from school because of early marriages.

''This is a very serious problem. Parents should stop marrying off underage girls.

They should instead take advantage of the conducive education environment to benefit them,'' he said.

Mr Babu has directed leaders to take immediate action against irresponsible parents and males who collude in marrying off the girls. "Don't hesitate to prosecute irresponsible parents and males who engage in marrying off young girls," he said.

''My appeal to all parents in Kagera Region is to ensure that we expunge the outdated tendency of pulling girls out of school and marrying them off.

That behaviour is not good because life is long. The girl, if God gives her life, will live for 70-80 years. So marrying her hurriedly is bad," he emphasized.
_________________
The longest journey starts with the first step - Chinese
If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything. - Unknown