210 students fail to sit for national exams in Nyang’hwale

NYANG’HWALE District Council has identified a total of 210 students of primary and secondary schools who have dropped sitting for national exams within three years.

He explained that among them a total of 94 pupils did not sit for a Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), while 116 did not sit for the Ordinary Level Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (CSEE).

Nyang’hwale District Secondary Education Officer, Mr Patrick Athanas presented the statistics over the weekend at the launch of education guidelines in the district. He pointed out that the major reasons for the drop out as absenteeism and negligence on the part of parents.

“For primary schools in 2019, a total of 27 pupils did not sit for the PSLE, while in 2020, the number shot up to 36. Last year, the number stood at 31 pupils, who did not sit for the national examination.

“For secondary schools in 2019, a total of 31 students did not sit for the CSEE, and 40 dropped out in 2020, while last year the number rose to 45 students who neglected the national examination,” he said.

He said that the challenge not only lowers the district’s pass rate but also suppresses the children’s right to attain education.

Nyang’hwale District Primary Education Officer, Mr Nassor Hamis said they are working on the challenge in collaboration with village and ward executive officers. He also said that parents and guardians should also be held responsible for the mess.

“We will continue by educating parents/guardians not to be influencers of the problem. We’ve noted with concerns that in most cases parents/guardians are the root cause by forcing their children into early marriages as well as conducting petty businesses,” he said.

The District Social Welfare Officer, Ms Zaituni Kiboga admitted the preliminary research revealed that among the major causes are early marriages for school girls who are persuaded not to take exams for them to get married.

Nyang’hwale District Commissioner, Mr Jamuhuri William warned parents not to be an obstacle for their children to continue and excel with studies, saying that doing so, was a sabotage to the development of the education sector.

“The government has abolished all examination and school fees at our schools, for students to concentrate with studies.

“We strongly warn parents/guardians who prevent their children from sitting for examinations… we will take very strict actions against them,” said Mr William.