Achieving 100 per cent transition to secondary school
The Constitution of Kenya recognizes the need for basic education for all children under the Bill of Rights. The Basic Education Act 2013 stipulates that any parent who is Kenyan or whose child resides in the country must enroll them for primary and secondary education.
In 2018, Kenya adopted the Policy on Universal Access to Basic Education. The Policy seeks to ensure that all children enroll in Primary School and complete their Secondary School Education, with a 100% transition rate.
The move towards attainment of 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary education is just one step towards attainment of universal basic education.
While speaking at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, President Kenyatta said that countries must support their populations, particularly the youth, to be productively engaged, so as to shape the future and not to fall victim to it.
The President told the Assembly about Kenya’s heavy investment in education, in an effort to achieve social inclusion, develop knowledge and competencies, and secure the future by not leaving anyone behind.
“We have achieved 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school, and free secondary school education for all day scholars” the President remarked.
Bridge Kenya is a community school programme with a presence in 30 counties in Kenya. The programme is a gateway to success that offers accelerated learning gains. Its graduates have transitioned to some of the best secondary schools in the country.
Many Bridge pupils from the class of 2020 are relishing the moment of studying in top secondary schools.
The best 2020 KCPE Bridge pupil, Chrispo Morara, is now a student at Alliance High School. Chrispo is settled in his new school and he is raring to go. He scored 413 marks in KCPE.
“I love Alliance High School. I’ve met bright students from all over the country. The school has many qualified teachers, and learning is very competitive. I am here representing Bridge, my family, my community and all those who look up to me. I am studying hard so that I can make them proud when I sit for my KCSE in four years’ time,” says Chrispo.
Mercy Ogola is another Bridge graduate who is living her dream. Mercy is now a student at Alliance Girls High School. Like Chrispo, Mercy says she has met brilliant and talented girls from all corners of the country. She speaks highly of her new school.
“I have been a student at Alliance Girls High School for four weeks now and from what I have experienced, I can tell you it is a great school. Like Bridge, the teachers are very friendly and reasonable. The staff is excellent and the rules help keep the school safe and in order. Learning here is great.” Says Mercy, who scored 404 marks in the 2020 KCPE.
This year, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said the government’s 100 per cent transition policy has registered an impressive progress.
Speaking during the nationwide mop-up exercise to transit pupils to join secondary schools, Magoha exuded confidence in the officials from Education Ministry and Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government for stepping up efforts to achieve 100 per cent success in all the 47 counties.
The government’s objective is to ensure all the candidates who sat the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education join Form One. According to CS Magoha, the One hundred percent transition initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta has been very transformative.
