Residents of Pate in Lamu East have welcomed the establishment of the first ever girls’ secondary school with expectations that it will be a leap forward in improving the education of the girl child.
The area did not have a girl’s secondary school and female students studied up toclass eight with many being married shortly after.
Area leaders said that Pate Girls Boarding Secondary School which opened its doors this year, will have a positive impact on education as it will increase access to girls’secondary education in the area.
Lamu East Member of Parliament Athman Shariff termed education as a key element for a bright future for both girls and boys asking residents of Pate to invest in the education of their children.
“Pate Girls Boarding Secondary School will play a major role in increasing the number of girls completing secondary education here in our constituency,” he said adding that those completing secondary education will act as role models for other girls.
Pate Village headman Ahmed Abii termed the opening of the girls’ school in the Islandas a new dawn for the community.
He said that together with local chiefs, elders have taken it upon themselves to go round the village creating awareness and encouraging residents to send their girls to school.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Kilifi Woman Representative Getrude Mbeyu observed that providing higher education to girls will provide an opportunity for marginalized and disadvantaged communities to come out of poverty.
“Investing in education will improve children access to school and in the long run improve economic development of the country,” she said.
The school which was funded by National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and well-wishers was constructed at a cost of Sh27 million and can accommodate at least 300 students.
Source:Friday Bulletin
