Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi has revealed that a total of 7,017 children who did KCPE in 2023 are yet to transit to secondary schools.
In an exclusive interview with Uasin Gishu News, Oyagi said the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) together with officers from the Ministry of Education across the five sub-counties are looking for their whereabouts.
“The government of Kenya and Ministry of Education policy is that 100% of candidates must transit from one level to the next of education and we shall ensure we achieve that because access to education is a right to every Kenyan child” he said.
The County security committee chairperson further stated that out of 36,504 candidates who were selected to join secondary school, 29,480 have been admitted, translating to 84%.
“We are asking chiefs and their assistants to work with our sub-county officers from the Ministry of Interior and Education so that we ensure all the missing children are admitted to secondary schools,” he added.
Transition from primary school status
Oyagi further said that the transition from primary school to junior schools stands at 94% and so far seven children have joined various vocational and training centres (VTCs).
He urged parents of children who have not joined secondary schools to come out and apply for bursaries from various government funds.
“While we agree the cost of living is not bearable to some of our people, it should not be a hindrance to their children’s education. Just come out and apply for bursaries from NG-CDF, NG-AAF, county government and even the Department of Social Protection has money meant for orphans and vulnerable children,” he appealed.
Which areas have the highest number of learners yet to report to form one?
As of February 1, 2024, Trans Nzoia East (Cherang’any) was leading with the number of pupils who are yet to transit to secondary where a total of 2,740 are still at home followed by Trans Nzoia West (Saboti) 2597, Kiminini (1.357), Kwanza (178) and 145 in Endebess Sub County.
A total of 26, 753 pupils drawn from both public and private schools have transited to junior schools and 2,253 are yet to transit.
In 2020, the government of Kenya started implementation of a 100% transition policy from primary to secondary school and the 2023 Education Act a step towards the attainment of Universal Access to Education and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, focusing on quality education.
