The government has announced that more than 150,000 pupils who sat for Kenya Certificate Primary Education (KCPE) in 2015 are likely to miss places in secondary school. According to CS Education Fred Matiang'i there was an
increase in enrollment rate, rising from 9.8 million in 2012 to 10.2 million."KCPE candidature grew
from 727,054 in 2009 to 937,430 in 2015. I should note that 1,657 took the
examination from Southern Sudan," the CS said. “The transition rate to
secondary schools has risen to 82.05 per cent from 78 per cent in 2015 through
initiatives like the CDF kitty and parents associations contributions in
schools.” Of the 927,401 pupils who sat
for KCPE last year, 23,085 will be admitted to national schools after the
Ministry of Education's upgrading programme increased the number from 18 schools
in 2012 to 103 in 2016. Selection will be based on merit choice of the students, quarter system, equity and affirmative action a process the CS said was developed through a "highly consultative process involving key stakeholders". "Form One students are expected to report to their respective schools between February 3, and February 11, 2016,” he said.
"This year, my ministry is
piloting an online system of transmiting admision letters to candidates so as
to expedite candidates’ access information and give parents and guardians ample
time to prepare."He pointed out that the number
of average candidates who ranged between 18 and 60 years were 1009, up from 900
last year.
"My Ministry is cognisant
of the particular education needs of adult learners and is committed to
providing ample learning opportunities for them," Matiang'i said.
"We have established two
boarding secondary schools for adult learners: One in Isinya and another in
Bungoma."
He said the ministry plans to
establish more such schools in order to avail formal education to willing adult
learners in conducive learning environments.
Matiang'i pointed out that
11,472 pupils did not sit the exams despite registering as candidates.
“It is sad that so many of
registered students did not take the exams after completing the eight years.”
The CS warned school heads to
desist from taking exam fees as the government will be paying the monies to the
exam council.“We have learnt that some
principals still want to charge exam fees but they should know we are watching
and will take appropriate action should they be caught,” he said.