East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislator and Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has pledged to improve education standards by establishing one-stop community centres in all 30 wards to nurture talent and help steer young people away from drug and substance abuse.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with Christian clergy, Shahbal said the rate of transition from public schools to universities remains low compared with that of private schools.

He said the centres would also be used to prepare candidates for national examinations and improve their transition to higher learning.

The EALA legislator disclosed that a tuition programme he started in 2012 was frustrated by politicians who allegedly threatened teachers with dire consequences if they continued supporting the initiative.

He said education is the great equaliser and would improve the livelihoods of residents, promising to allocate adequate resources to the sector.

“We have to find a way to improve our education system. I know the responsibility of the county is in Early Childhood Development only, but I don’t agree. It is our responsibility to ensure our youth make it to high school and from high school to university. It is very critical for all of us.”

He also pledged to allocate Sh50 million to each ward annually for youth empowerment programmes rather than development projects.

“If we wait for the national government to solve our problems, we will wait for 50 years. Because the Head of State cannot address countrywide problems, we must solve our problems as leaders of Mombasa; we cannot depend on other people,” Shahbal said.

He urged the clergy to use their pulpits to sensitise parents on the importance of education as a way out of poverty, noting that even if parents did not make it to university, they should ensure their children pursue university and TVET education.

“Ensure that your child gets a chance to education to be a professional. That is part of God’s work. It will help them to be financially stable. When I say I want money in the pockets of mwananchi, I don’t mean Shahbal will put money into people’s pockets; how much will I give? I mean we must assist mwananchi to uplift his business to make more money. Today, many businesses are closing shop, and this is what we must take care of-make sure businesses don’t close,” he said.

Shahbal also sought to allay fears that a Muslim governor would not care for churches, noting that Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city and its challenges affect all residents regardless of religion, race or tribe.

by Sadik Hassan