160,000 Form One, Grade 7 Students Yet to Transition
Over 160,000 learners in Kenya have not reported for Form One and Grade 7, indicating the need for more efforts to achieve the 100% transition policy.
While Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu expressed satisfaction at the rate of reporting, he called for collaboration among stakeholders to mop up learners who have not yet enrolled in Grade 7 or Form One.
The transition into JSS and Form One stands at 96% and 91%, respectively, according to Mr Machogu.
Last year, 1,253,577 learners sat the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, which implies that 50,143 have not yet proceeded to junior secondary school (JSS).
Meanwhile, 1,233,852 candidates sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination, and a 91% transition means 111,046 learners are out of school.
The CS visited areas such as Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa that were not doing well in terms of transition and reported that the transition rate had improved to 96% for JSS.
He urged chiefs and their assistants to collaborate with sub-county and county education officers to mop up learners who have not yet enrolled in Grade 7 or Form One.
Mr Machogu asked teachers to allow students who cannot afford new uniforms to remain in school with their old uniforms until their parents acquire the required set.
The CS ruled out turning back on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and reverting to the 8-4-4 system, despite lawmakers’ recent call to do so.
Speaking during a tour of duty at Bobaracho Junior Secondary School in Kisii County, Mr Machogu claimed that the challenges with learning in Grade 7 are now nearly resolved.
The government has planned for capitation per student and dispatched textbooks to all JSS institutions in the country.
The government has agreed on a capitation of Sh15,042 per student in JSS, and textbooks covering all the learning areas that are done in Grade 7 have been sent out to all JSSs across the county.
However, no textbooks have been sent out for a few subject areas, which Mr Machogu promised to address next week.
Capitation for both primary and senior secondary schools has so far been disbursed, with learners in primary schools getting an annual capitation of Sh1,420 each and those in secondary schools receiving Sh22,244 per student.
160,000 Form One, Grade 7 Students Yet to Transition
