Form One transition rate in Northeastern hits 96 per cent

The Northeastern region has recorded an increase in students expected to transition to Form One.

Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno said at least 96 per cent of students have reported to school.

Otieno said through the government efforts, Mandera and Wajir counties achieved a 100 per cent transition rate.

"I am glad to report that efforts by the national government administrative officers and officials from the Ministry of Education in the Northeastern region to identify students who had not reported for Form 1 and Grade 7 have yielded fruits, increasing from 83.4 per cent to 96 per cent transition," Otieno said.

Otieno spoke on Saturday in Dadaab town during a meeting with the National Government Administrative Officials from Fafi and Dadaab sub-counties.

He, however, said Garissa was lagging at an 88 per cent transition rate, representing 1,418 students who are yet to join Form 1.

Despite this, Fafi and Bura East sub-counties in Garissa achieved a 100 per cent reporting rate largely attributed to the Zero Fees programme initiated by Fafi MP Salah Yakub.

Through the programme, students receive full tuition scholarships as well as school uniforms, boxes, shoes, and other personal effects.

The RC called on chiefs and their assistants to put more effort into ensuring that the remaining students have reported to school.

Violent extremism

He warned that students are at risk of being recruited into violent extremism and terror groups if they are left to roam in the villages.

This, he said, will make it difficult for the government to completely root out terrorism from the region.

He reiterated that there should be no excuse for a student to stay away from school as the government has already released the capitation funding by the Ministry of Education and the constituency development fund bursaries are being offered by the area MPs.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the government is determined to ensure that every child, regardless of their gender, background, or location, has equal access to education.

"We will work tirelessly with the National Government Administration to identify and reach every child and ensure no one is left behind as we close the curtain on Form One admission under the 8-4-4 system," he said.

Speaking in Kakamega over the weekend, President William Ruto also warned school heads against sending learners home due to school fees arrears.

He said no child should be sent home as the government has already disbursed Sh7.5 billion to schools.