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 The National Parents Association (NPA) has urged the government to take stern action against any parent who has not taken their children to school.

NPA chairman Silas Obuhatsa (pictured) yesterday said the association was shocked to learn that there are thousands of students who are yet to join Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Form One, about three weeks since the opening dates.

“We have information that some parents are keeping learners at home to appear poor because the government promised that it will offer free education,” he told the press in Nairobi.

“Other parents are keeping learners at home so that they may use the school fees excuse to raise funds for other uses from well-wishers who may not be fully informed about their background,” added Obuhatsa.

Obuhatsa said he had received calls from students across the country asking for financial support from the association.

“This is a crucial matter and requires urgent intervention of all stakeholders in the education sector to support the Ministry to have all the learners who are still at home go to school,” he stated.

He said it is unfair to blame the Ministry of Education for failure of children to transition to new levels, saying it had given clear instructions.

“The provincial administration should arrest all parents whose children are at home and fine them for breaking the law by keeping learners at home,” he said.