Concerns Over 175,748 Secondary School Drop-Outs in Four Years
Around 200,000 secondary students may have dropped out of school in the past four years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the 100 percent transition initiative. The analysis by The Standard indicates that out of the 899,453 candidates who received their KCSE examination results on Monday, only a portion belonged to the 1,075,201 students admitted to Form One in 2020.
Over the course of the four years, approximately 175,748 students did not participate in the national examination, suggesting a potential dropout. This revelation poses a challenge to the 100 percent transition policy introduced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.
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What is particularly noteworthy is Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu’s assertion that the number of students who dropped out is inconsequential. Speaking on December 18 last year during Form One selection at Lenana School, Machogu played down the figures, stating that the dropout rate is a ‘very small percentage.’
Despite Machogu’s statement, it has come to light that these students are unaccounted for. According to The Standard’s analysis, 1,075,201 candidates were enrolled in secondary school in 2020, but only 899,453 took the examination released this week.
This dropout rate, roughly equivalent to one in six students, raises questions about the efficacy of the 100 percent transition policy, which guarantees a secondary school spot for every child completing primary education. Critics argue that dismissing such a significant number of dropouts is unjustifiable.
Underprivileged Students Bear Brunt
In a bid to tackle the alarming 6.6% national dropout rate in secondary schools reported in 2017, the 100 percent transition policy was implemented. The Standard’s analysis reveals a concerning trend, particularly among day schools catering to underprivileged students.
Out of the 669,145 students enrolled in day schools in 2020, only 481,904 sat the KCSE exam, marking a substantial drop of 187,241. County schools, considered better resourced, also experienced a similar downturn, with 51,072 students discontinuing their education.
The 2023 KCSE examination saw only 137,382 students, a notable decrease from the 188,454 placed in 2020.
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The reasons for this dropout phenomenon are not entirely clear, but stakeholders attribute it to factors such as poverty and teenage pregnancy, while others point to underfunding. Interestingly, Extra County Schools reported fewer dropouts, emphasizing their well-resourced status and high retention rates.
Contrastingly, national schools witnessed a surge in candidates, surpassing the initial placement figure. The data indicates an increase from 33,099 students initially placed to 35,715 who eventually sat the national exam. This raises concerns about potential disparities in resource allocation and student preferences.
National Parents Association Chairman Silas Obuhatsa expressed alarm over the nearly 200,000 missing students, calling for a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive tracking mechanism from birth to school entry and exit.
Emmanuel Manyasa, the Executive Director of Usawa Agenda, highlighted the revelations as exposing cracks in Kenya’s education system, socioeconomic disparities, and challenges in ensuring quality education for all.
While Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akello Misori criticized the insufficient execution of the 100 percent transition policy, citing a lack of sustainable measures for learner retention, Machogu defended the government’s efforts in ensuring the policy’s success.
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Funds Allocated for Education
Highlighting the allocation of funds to schools, the CS emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting Free Primary Education, Free Day Secondary Education, and providing loans and scholarships for TVET and university learners.
Emphasizing the importance of lifelong skills for employment, self-employment, and international opportunities, the CS mentioned the government’s efforts in developing a comprehensive tracking system to monitor students’ progress seamlessly from primary to tertiary institutions.
The CS outlined plans for an integrated system to monitor attendance and progress at all levels, aiming to ensure a holistic approach to education. According to Indimuli, some students may have transferred to private schools, which recorded over 60,000 KCSE candidates.
These students, not considered in the placement exercise, contribute to those initially designated for State-owned secondary schools but later opting for private institutions.
Despite concerns, recent KCSE results indicate that only 60,891 candidates sat exams from private schools. It also surfaced that some students may have repeated classes, faced unfortunate circumstances, or dropped out.
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Indimuli criticized the 100 percent transition policy for its lack of foresight, pointing out its focus on enrolling students in secondary school without a clear plan for ensuring continuity throughout the four years. He emphasized the need to fund and equip sub-county schools for the overall success of the education system.
Concerns Over 175,748 Secondary School Drop-Outs in Four Years
