200,000 pupils fail to proceed with secondary education
Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. “I particularly wish to highlight the ‘re-entry policy’, which must guide school principals and head teachers to admit, accommodate and support returning students,” she said. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Last month, the government released Sh29 billion for the rollout of free secondary school education.
- Ms Mohamed assured the committee that the government will address the issue of shortage of teachers in the country.
More than 200,000 pupils who sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination last year have not taken their slots in secondary schools despite the introduction of free day school learning by the government.
Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed on Thursday told the National Assembly Education Committee chaired by Julius Melly that out of 993,718 candidates who sat the examination, only 794,366 had taken up their places in Form One as at February 12.
“Efforts have been put in place through the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government to ensure that all the 2017 candidates who sat the KCPE exam join Form One,” Ms Mohamed said.
Last month, the government released Sh29 billion for the rollout of free secondary school education.
MPs in the committee put Ms Mohamed to task over the learning programme, saying it is not realistic.
Vice-chairman of the committee Amos Kimunya wondered how principals will pay teachers hired by the boards of management.
“In my constituency, 28 secondary schools have a shortage of 200 teachers. Where will schools get money to hire extra teachers? Mr Kimunya asked.
Ms Mohamed assured the committee that the government will address the issue of shortage of teachers in the country, noting that it is a problem.
