News

Education CS: Ensure all students report to school

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 00:00 | By
Education CS George Magoha (right) and PS Belio Kipsang chat with Teresia Muthoni, who was admitted to Moi Girls Secondary School, Nairobi, yesterday. Photo/PD/TABITHA MBATIA

Hillary Mageka and Noven Owiti

Students who have not joined Form One for lack of school fees should present themselves to the nearest day secondary school admission, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said.

The CS directed chiefs and their assistants to work closely with sub-county education officials to ensure all candidates who sat their primary education exam last year are enrolled in day schools, which he said are free.

 “We are ready, able and willing to ensure every child who sat for his KCPE is in school to ensure the success of the 100 per cent transition,” Magoha told journalists at the Moi Girls School Nairobi, where he witnessed the admission of Teresia Muthoni, a needy student from Kibera slums.

His remarks come in the wake of concerns that increased enrolment has led to congestions in many schools, and  may ultimately compromise the quality of education.

Magoha, meanwhile, challenged education officials in all counties to also map out 2019 KCPE candidates  and ensure those still at home join Form One.

“It is the constitutional right of every Kenyan child to acquire free and compulsory basic education,” he said.

The CS had earlier directed principals not to turn back students due to lack of fees or personal effects.

Meanwhile, 970,151 students (92 per cent) who sat their KCPE exam last year have so far been enrolled to secondary schools. Some 69,783 have been registered in private schools.

Eight per cent of the students have not been accounted for.

“These include candidates who have already reported to private schools and those who reported to schools that they had not been selected to, thereby missing out on the NEMIS data capture,” said the CS. 

He said about 11 counties have surpassed the 100 per cent transition, including Murang’a, Nyeri, Turkana, Nairobi, Vihiga, Tharaka Nithi and Kajiado.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT