Nation Media Group Distributed by Rights News and Features Service by Apollo Sibanda Consumption of local brews has led to the decline of academic standards in Butula, Busia District. A spot check indicated that many parents and teachers are addicted to the brew, commonly known as lutheshe. Unlike in the past when it was taken during traditional ceremonies, the locals have turned it into a daily activity. Some teachers have even formed lutheshe groups with full-fledged officials. Lutheshe is a local traditional brew made by fermenting barley or millet and is sipped through a siphon hence the name, which means to siphon.
Teachers are unable to concentrate in their work and hence candidates for national examinations.
Performance is, therefore, falling. Only five of the 1,388 candidates who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education last year secured places in national schools. This is equivalent to 0.36 percent of the enrolment. Four of those who qualified for national schools were from St. Augustine Boys' Boarding, sponsored by the Catholic Church and the other was from Igula, a public school. Catholics sponsor 63 per cent of the 60 primary schools in the division.