By MAUREEN MUDI

Coast MPs have been criticised for failing to support education.

This, according to Coast Provincial Director of Education Tom Majani, has led to falling standards.

Mr Majani also blamed parents for abdicating their responsibilities, compromising discipline in schools.

At an education forum in Mombasa yesterday, various speakers including Cabinet Minister Najib Balala lashed out at parents, politicians and school managers for not doing enough to raise performance.

Speaking to education managers, the officials claimed most Coast MPs had shown no interest in education.

"It is unfortunate our leaders only concentrate on other issues and lose out on education, ending up in poor standards," said Mr Majani.

He claimed local leaders had failed to address infrastructural and funding challenges in schools.

Mr Balala, who was the chief guest, asked the managers to analyse what was ailing the education sector to seek solutions.

He said the State spends more than Sh100 million on education in the region annually.

"The Government invests heavily but at the end of it all, we get a score of 3 of 12, which is equivalent to a mean score of D. This lessens chances of youth being competitive in employment," he said.

"We need to have affirmative action not only in employment but also in education," he said.

At the same time, Majani urged the Ministry of Education to draft viable policies and guidelines defining parents’ roles in the free tuition and feeding programmes.

He said while the Government and donor agencies provided food, parents should ensure the remaining needs are catered for.

"We should not be complaining of understaffing. Eighty per cent of our schools are well off. We need support from all," he said.