Government Spokesperson, Dr Isaac Mwaura, has reiterated the Government’s commitment in ensuring the 100 percent transition of learners from primary to post-primary level where, out of 1,406,557 pupils who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) last year, 58,429 are yet to join form one.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Dr Mwaura reiterated that those who have joined Form One, corresponds to a 96 percent transition rate.
“We have mobilized concerted efforts of the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) that is, County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and their Assistants in tracking all the remaining 2023 KCPE candidates, to ensure that no one is left behind,” he assured.
Further, Dr Mwaura voiced that the government has also provided bursaries to facilitate learners from underprivileged backgrounds through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) and the Elimu Scholarship program, whose objective is to ensure there is full transition from primary to secondary schools, where this year alone, the government has sponsored 14,426 children throughout the Country, under the program.
While he cautioned parents who refuse to take their children to school, as being liable to prosecution, in accordance with the Children’s Act, Dr Mwaura, revealed that there is also an enhanced mop-up exercise, where education directors are currently working with field officers, to make sure that the remnants are taken to nearby schools among those who were admitted to boarding schools, but parents were not able to pay for their upkeep.
He nevertheless advised those who wish not to continue with Secondary Education to join the public vocational training centres, which are now under the County Governments.
“We have a total of 1,120 vocational Training Centres of which 1,022 are public and 98 private ones, spread across the country,” he announced, noting that these are the former youth or village polytechnics.
Additionally, Dr Mwaura stressed on the digitization of the entire education system, spanning from basic education to tertiary and university levels which was sanctioned by the cabinet on 14th February, 2024 in keeping up with the administration’s digital transformation Agenda.
This intervention, according to the Government Spokesperson, aims to address the governance challenges within our education system that have led to parallel accounts, charging of unauthorized school fees, diversion of the exchequer releases on capitation and other fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of the education system, leading to the enrolment of ghost students.
By Michael Omondi
