This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
Arrest parents marrying off school girls, Education CAS tells chiefs ¶
Education officials have issued a stern warning to parents who are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to marry off their school-going daughters.
Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya has ordered chiefs to be on the lookout and arrest parents facilitating such marriages, citing the high risk of girls being impregnated and forced into early marriages.
Ms Bonaya said parents must take their responsibilities seriously to ensure their daughters are safe at all times, adding that legal action will be taken against parents exploiting their children by giving them excessive chores or allowing them to seek casual jobs elsewhere.
"We acknowledge the risk that learners across the country are exposed to especially the girls and there is need for parents to protect them and ensure they are safe while at home," Ms Bonaya said.
She emphasized that parents must assume the teachers' role and ensure that children continue learning while at home and are engaged at all times so that they are not lured into drug and substance abuse.
Ms Bonaya also warned chiefs against abetting the vice, noting that they will be held responsible if any girl from their areas fails to report to school on reopening.
"Chiefs and parents will be answerable over cases of learners failing to report back to school. Parents should report such incidences so that the perpetrators are arrested and action taken," she said.
Ms Bonaya was speaking while distributing food to vulnerable families in Burat and Oldonyiro wards in Isiolo County, where she reiterated the government's commitment towards ensuring an enabling environment ahead of the reopening of schools.
