Parents urged to perform their roles for better school grades

Parents of children in scholarship programmes have been urged to perform their roles. 

Luanda Equity Bank manager Peter Lubale says most parents leave their duties to the bank and learning institutions, which contributes to poor performance. 

He urged the parents to be at the forefront of monitoring their children.

The manager spoke on Tuesday at his office while addressing parents of children who benefited from the wings to fly and Elimu scholarship programmes.

"We have noticed a number of learners in our programme seem to be underperforming," he said.

Lubale said as a bank they play their role.

"We pay fees and provide basic needs on time, so we don't understand why there is underperformance," he said.

"We have also asked our old boys and girls to be visiting these learners in their various institutions for mentorship."

The manager said although majority are doing well, a section of learners are still scoring grade C and below.

Lubale said if parents will up their game in monitoring their kids and advising them, all is going to be well.

"We have already lost learners on the programme, a girl got pregnant and decided to drop out," he said.

The manager said despite giving her a chance to deliver and continue with her studies, they were not able to trace the teen mother who went missing after delivery.

He said they also lost a boy from Chavakali High School under unclear circumstances.

"The boy initially complained that he wasn't comfortable at Kamusinga High, which forced us to secure him a chance at Chavakali but he still dropped out," Lubale said.

The manager blamed poor parenting and peer pressure among learners as a key factor.

Lubale's complaint comes as the Vihiga government had warned that they will kick out all underperforming learners on their governor's scholarship programme.

County secretary Ezekiel Ayiego said there is no need to keep students on the programme if they don't want to perform.

"I want to urge the department of Education to come up with a plan on how non-performing kids ​​will be removed from the programme and replaced with those ready to perform. That way we shall be able to keep them on their toes," he said.

However, Lubale said they will not discontinue any learners form the pprogramme but will work hand in hand with tutors and parents to ensure all children perform well.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)