By Correspondent
The Principal Secretary for the State Department for University Education and Research, Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi today offered assistance to a needy form one learner unable to attend school due to the inability of parents to raise Sh6, 000 required for lunch.
Harriet Hapless, the form one student at Tumaini Secondary School in Nakuru was unable to raise the money due to financial challenges experienced by her family. The PS donated the money and directed the area chief to ensure the girl was taken back to school.
Amb. Nabukwesi who was on a form one learner’s mop up in Nakuru County visited several schools in the area to establish the number of learners who already transited and those who were yet to.
The PS was informed by senior Ministry officials and those from the interior ministry that learners especially those living in informal settlements were facing financial constraints while others failed to sit for the exams and in turn resulted in engaging in informal employment therefore failing for KCPE examinations.
During the visit by the PS, area Assistant County Commissioner Moseti Moffat who was also present said sufficient data had been gathered to ascertain the number of students who had not reported and that arrangements had been put in place to ensure they all transit to form one.
The PS later visited Heshima Primary School located within an informal settlement where it was also reported that a number of needy students had failed to join form one.
While engaging parents, the PS explained the reasons why it was necessary for them to ensure children attend school, adding that education was free and compulsory according to the Children’s Act and therefore, parents should not deny their children the right to education.
At Kaptembwo ECDE, it was established that, eight learners had failed to join form one and were still at large. Amb. Nabukwesi directed the Assistant County Commissioner to search for their whereabouts and ensure they join form one adding that no child should be denied right to education due to lack of money.
The mop exercise seeks to ensure 100 percent transition to form one. Ministry of Education officials had been directed by the Cabinet Secretary to work closely with Commissioners and Chiefs to ensure all learners transit to secondary education and that they must account for all the learners who sat for last year’s KCPE Examinations.
