The Ministry of Education has begun mopping-up operations in Busia County to ensure that the government’s policy of one hundred per cent transition from primary to secondary school is achieved.
It has been revealed that more than480 students who sat for the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) have not yet reported to their respective schools.
Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, the Principal Secretary for University Education and Research, while addressing parents, administration officers and 2021 KCPE students in Butula Sub-County, implored parents to take responsibility for their children who are going to school and support the government’s efforts to ensure that the children receive an education.
He revealed that the government has made significant investments in education to ensure that every Kenyan child goes to school.
Nabukwesi showed his support for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) saying that it is one of the best models of education and called on students to use their competencies while in school, saying that co-curricular activities are able to help learners succeed in life.
The government implemented the 100% transition policy to boost Free Day Secondary school leading to an increase in transition rates from primary to secondary school from 83.3% in 2018 to 95% by the first quarter (A1) of 2020. In Busia County, 95% of the 2022 intake was received indicating strides in the 100 per cent push.
Parents blamed the failure to achieve one hundred per cent transition from primary to secondary school on a lack of resources exacerbated by the effects of the covid-19 pandemic which prevented them from enrolling their children in secondary schools.
Amb Nabukwesi called on parents to invest in education especially in digital learning in order for the children to be relevant in the job market and be productive, shape the future and avoid engaging in drug abuse and early pregnancy.
The main stumbling block to completing the transition has been attitudes towards education and poverty. Parents are still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the government’s efforts to facilitate the transition.