Education stakeholders laud MP Dawood over infrastructure boost, inclusive engagement

Education stakeholders in North Imenti Constituency have praised the area Member of Parliament Rahim Dawood for sustained investment in school infrastructure and inclusive engagement with education managers.

The stakeholders said the improvements go beyond roofing to include renovation of classrooms and installation of tiles, creating a more conducive learning and teaching environment.

Chairman of the Imenti East Headteachers Association, Mr Mwiti Muketha, commended the MP for convening what he described as a timely and impactful education stakeholders’ forum.

“We appreciate the improvement in infrastructure, including tiling of classrooms, and the continued support of the education sector. We also have plans to accommodate learners facing challenges such as lack of school fees or basic necessities. All learners are welcome,” Muketha said.

The remarks were made at Thuura Boys Secondary School in Imenti East Sub-county during an Education Day that brought together teachers from primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools, alongside Boards of Management (BoMs).

Addressing the gathering, MP Dawood said his office would intervene to support vulnerable learners, pledging to cater for school fees for needy students.

He urged parents to ensure all children report to school, warning against keeping Grade 10 learners at home due to lack of fees or uniform.

The MP also issued a stern warning against individuals involved in impregnating school-going girls, saying such cases would be dealt with firmly.

“We are sending a clear warning to anyone found responsible for impregnating young learners. Such cases will not be tolerated and must be taken to court,” Dawood said.

He noted that the stakeholders’ meeting held extensive deliberations on improving education standards in the constituency, with infrastructure development emerging as a key priority.

Dawood said that through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), his office had committed resources towards purchasing internal examination papers and putting in place measures to curb teenage pregnancies.

He further directed that entertainment joints and alcohol outlets operating near learning institutions, or those that fail to meet legal requirements, be closed.

The MP announced plans to tile schools that are yet to benefit from the programme and to undertake additional infrastructure improvements.

He added that all students admitted under categories C1 and C2 would receive bursary support.

During the forum, education stakeholders raised concerns over low enrollment, noting that Grade 10 enrollment in Imenti North Sub-county stands at about 50 percent.

Imenti East Sub-county Director of Education Peter Njamba said the meeting was critical in reviewing the status of education and charting the way forward.

He noted that the sub-county topped Meru County in the most recent national examinations and expressed optimism that performance would remain strong.

However, Mr Njamba said Grade 10 reporting currently stands at about 83 per cent, adding that stakeholders had resolved to trace and return all learners who are yet to report to school.