Parents hiding disabled children face legal action

COAST REGION: IN efforts to ensure that all children have access to free education, the authorities in Bagamoyo District, Coast Region, have started taking strict measures against parents who hide their children with disabilities instead of enrolling them in school.

This comes after recognising that despite government and stakeholder efforts to improve education standards in the district, some parents continue to obstruct these initiatives by refusing to take their children to school.

Bagamoyo District Primary School Education Officer Wema Kajigili made the statement at Bigilo Primary School in Makurunge Ward while receiving various school equipment donated by the Organisation for Community Development (OCODE) for 27 students registered under the Comprehensive Basic Education Programme (COBET/ MEMKWA).

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“Last week, we launched a bylaw to deal with parents who do not take their children to school. This law also applies to those who hide their children with disabilities instead of enrolling them,” she emphasised.

She thanked OCODE for its readiness to support various education projects in the district. For her part, OCODE’s Community Livelihood Programme Manager, Noreen Tarimo, said the organisation would continue supporting government efforts to improve education in the country.

“What we have done today is part of our continued support to ensure that children study in a friendly environment,” she said.

Ms Tarimo also urged parents to ensure that all children who dropped out of school or failed to enrol for various reasons are taken to school instead of being kept at home.

Bigilo Primary School Head Teacher Dominic John thanked the government and OCODE for their collaborative efforts, which continue to improve the school’s learning environment.