100% transition is a lie? form one admission menace in Taita revealed

One of the greatest promises the Ministry of Education led by Ambassador Amina Mohammed who is the Cabinet Secretary is that form one will 100% transition.

But can we say that this was a mere empty promise? Then if not what is the real problem that is eating away the education sector in Taita Taveta County.

Some 2,753 Form One students are yet to report to their respective schools in Taita Taveta, a week after the deadline.

Taita Taveta County Director of Education Simon Wanjohi said as at last Friday, only 70.84 per cent of Form One students had reported.

“We expected a total of 9,443 students but only 6,690 had reported by Friday,” Wanjohi said.

He said 3,249 are boys while 3,441 are girls.

The government intends to achieve 100 per cent transition in form one admissions across the country.

The Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said chiefs and their assistants will be held accountable for students who fail to report to school.

“No child has an excuse to be out of school under the free day secondary education programme,” Matiang’i said.

Wanjohi said education officials are collaborating with the Ministry of Interior to trace the missing students.

“We are assuming the remaining students might not have reported and they are still around. We shall work closely with chiefs and head teachers. We shall take them to school or have an explanation as to why they are not in school,” he said.

Image result for admission form one in taita taveta county

The county director revealed that majority of day scholars were reluctant to join school compared to their boarding counterparts.

He, however, urged parents to take advantage of the free education programme and advise their children to go to school.

Taveta subcounty has registered the lowest number of students out of the four subcounties with 56.9 per cent.

Related image

Mwatate has 77.86 per cent, Voi 74.2 percent and Taita 71.15 per cent.

Taita Taveta County Executive Secretary for Kenta Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Shedrack Mutungi blamed the ministry’s National Education Management Information System (Nemis) for the slow intake.

Mutungi said many parents were unable to access admission letters through the system.

Mutungi appealed to the Education Ministry to consider an alternative method in order to achieve 100 per cent transition.

“The system is good for effective management. However, there have been delays on students who have applied for a change of school. I think the ministry can formulate an easier way to change a school or access the admission letters,” Mutungi said.

On Tuesday last week, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang said at least 83 per cent of form ones nationally had reported to school by January 18.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *