The Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner (CC), Ms, Beverly Opwora has called for concerted efforts in ensuring that 1,500 out of 11,500 who sat for KCPE last year in Tharaka Nithi County and were yet to join form one do so in the shortest time possible.
The administrator said her office in collaboration with officers from the Ministry of Education had started searching for the pupils to get them to school in a bid to realize government’s 100 percent transition from primary to secondary school.
Speaking during a county consultation forum for dissemination of Third Medium Term Plan for 2018-2022 in Chuka town, Ms. Opwora said her office was aware that a number of the girls had already been married and others made pregnant but stressed that they must be rescued to continue with their education.
“We will make sure that they all report to school even if it means waiting for the expectant ones to deliver,” Ms Opwora said.
She said parents have no excuse of retaining their children at home over lack of school fees as the government had increased the capitation fund for secondary boarding schools to Sh.22, 244 per student paid directly to schools.
The Deputy Governor, Francis Kagwima said the county government would in two weeks’ time disburse bursaries to needy students to support them in their education.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Tharaka Nithi Branch Secretary, Njeru Mutani said alongside focusing on the 100 percent transition, the government should also address the increasing number of those dropping out in lower classes.
Mutani said due to increased enrolment, some schools were straining to accommodate students due to lack of enough facilities such as classes.
By Kenneth Marangu
