The Director for Basic Education Leah Rotich said the high rate of school dropout was worrying the Ministry of Education.

Ms Rotich said this was as a result of poverty, which drove children out of school into early marriages or employment.

Speaking during the Siaya District Education Day on Thursday, Rotich urged parents and teachers to ensure the affected children went back to school.

early marriage

Elsewhere, 90 per cent of girls in Nyatike constituency drop out of school for early marriage, area leaders have been told.

The leaders heard that only two out of 500 candidates who sit KCSE exams annually join university.

Karungu and Otho area Education Officers Jerry Chuchu and Jacob Toll said the trend had negatively impacted on education standards in the constituency.

The officers accused parents of reluctance to take their children to school even with the introduction of free primary education.

Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga said basic education was necessary for girls to discharge their matrimonial obligations effectively.

favouritism

He wondered why male children were favoured.

"We must encourage our girls to go school," said Anyanga.

He said he had set aside Sh5 million from the CDF kitty for girl-child education in the constituency. The ODM legislator was speaking during the launch of Nyatike Constituency Education Standards Enhancement Project.

The programme, which has been introduced for the first time in the area, is part of efforts by the MP, education officers and leaders to promote education.

Anyanga urged parents to educate their daughters and assured them of his support.