Plans to re-open the Yala town-based Odera Akang’o university campus are at advanced stage, cabinet secretary for education, professor George Magoha has said.
Prof. Magoha said that as part of the process, talks have been going on between the managements of Moi and Maseno universities to have the campus that previously operated as a branch of the former, change hands to the later.
“The vice chancellors of the two universities are aware and talks have been going on,” said the CS who addressed the media outside the Siaya County Commissioner’s Office Wednesday.
The campus has been closed for more than two years after the Commission for University Education ordered its closure for failure to meet some basic requirements, among them lack of adequate land for expansion and infrastructure.
This saw Moi University withdraw students from the campus, based in Gem constituency and a stone throw away from Prof. Magoha’s rural home.
On efforts to attain the 100 per cent primary to secondary school transition, Magoha said that though the country was currently at 99 per cent, Siaya was still lagging behind.
Magoha said that close to 20 pupils who sat for KCPE last year in Siaya and failed to join form one have been rounded up and taken to school.
“We are taking some to Rang’ala girls and Siaya Township secondary schools today,” he said.
He called on the local residents to ensure that every pupil, including those that could have been impregnated, report to secondary schools.
“Pregnancy is not a disease. Those already pregnant will not be discriminated against,” he said adding “I am calling on such girls to come forward and join schools in their condition. When it comes time to deliver, they will be given time to go and deliver”.
He was flanked by the Nyanza Regional Director of Education, Richard Chepkawayi, Siaya County Commissioner, Michael ole Tialal and top ministry of education officers.
By Philip Onyango
