Senator Mohammed Faki calls for urgent action to address Mombasa's poor exam results
He attributed part of the problem to a lack of serious conversations between parents, teachers, and leaders about academic performance.
Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has called on parents, leaders, and education stakeholders to engage in open discussions aimed at addressing the poor performance recorded in national examinations across Mombasa County.
He emphasised that while leaders have prioritised education, many parents have not shown the same level of commitment in tackling the root causes of their children's underperformance.
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"Education is the key to life, education is everything. Through education, we can fight ignorance and dangerous ideologies."
He raised concerns about the high population of young offenders in prisons, citing visits he made to correctional facilities during the month of Ramadan.
In Kwale, for instance, he observed that 460 inmates aged between 18 and 35 were imprisoned, with many facing charges related to sexual offences.
Shimo la Tewa Prison, he added, currently houses over 1,600 inmates, despite having a capacity of 700, with the majority also falling within the same age group and many held on remand.
The senator stressed the urgent need for both leaders and parents to adopt measures that would reduce the number of young people ending up in prison. He said one of the most effective ways is by ensuring that children stay in school and pursue their education.
Unsatisfactory results
He pointed out that despite improvements in the number of schools, exam results remain unsatisfactory. He attributed part of the problem to a lack of serious conversations between parents, teachers, and leaders about academic performance.
"Recently, we had a Senate Education Committee meeting, and it was noted that our transition rate to university is still very low. For example, St Charles Lwanga School in Changamwe performed well and managed to send many students to university this year, but other areas are still lagging behind," he said.
The senator challenged parents to be more proactive, questioning why they often criticise leaders for bursary delays but fail to engage with them when examination results are poor.
"Charity begins at home. Leaders cannot force your child to succeed academically if you, as parents, are not involved," he said.
He added, “Similarly, we cannot expect teachers to deliver good results if they themselves are not committed."
The senator also urged young people to embrace vocational training courses such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical wiring after completing their basic education, instead of idling in the streets.
He noted that although the county government has a mandate to oversee vocational training, progress has been slow, with facilities in areas like Mwakirunge lacking activities and proper infrastructure.
He concluded by encouraging parents, particularly mothers, to take the conversation about education seriously, discussing it not only at home but also in markets, weddings, and other community gatherings to create a culture that values academic success.
"Failing an exam is not the end of the road. We must encourage our children to work hard and find different pathways to success," he said.
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