Government orders all 2017 KCPE candidates to be admitted to Form 1.

Thika MP Patrick Wainaina (in a cap)explains a point to one of the participants of the forum to work out a way to guarantee a 100% primary to secondary transition rate. Looking on is Thika West DCC Tom Anjere (left) and Thika KNUT Secretary Joe Mungai (in glasses). 

All 2017 KCPE candidates from Thika Sub-County who have not yet been admitted to Form 1 have been instructed to report to the nearest secondary school or their previous primary schools for admission. Consequently, all principals of secondary schools have been instructed to open extra streams to accommodate these students into their Form 1 classes.

Chaired by Thika West DCC Tom Anjere, an education leaders meeting held at Thika High School resolved that the exercise will involve all those who sat for KCPE last year regardless of their scores.

It was revealed that about 350 pupils who sat for KCPE last year are yet to join any secondary school.

“It is the government’s policy for a 100% transition rate from primary to secondary education. I am tasking all the chiefs, their assistants and heads of primary schools to mop out all those who did KCPE last year for admission to the various secondary schools in the sub-county,” said Anjere.

“The minimum requirement is simply a KCPE certificate and the relevant school uniforms,” he added.

It was agreed that there the DCC will convene a similar meeting that will incorporate more stakeholders with a view of evaluating the progress of this exercise, its challenges and also chart out the way forward.

He warned that stern measures would be taken against any principal found sabotaging this exercise.

“I have also heard rumours that some principals are selling admission letters to prospective candidates. This is unacceptable and anyone caught engaging in this vice will also be dealt with according to the laid down procedures,” warned the DCC.

Area MP Eng. Patrick Wainaina said that his office will support this programme by funding schools to construct extra classes.

However, Wainaina warned principals who were being accused of sending students home for ‘lunch money’ that he would not tolerate such behaviour as it denied the students their right to education.

“No one should send students home for lunch money. If any principal has challenges in collecting this money from students, they should liaise with my office for assistance but not to send the learners home,” said Wainaina.

Those present included Thika West Deputy County Director of Education Ronald Mbogo, Thika KNUT executive Secretary Joe Mungai, Thika Branch Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) Chairman James Ngugi Macharia and the Director M-PESA Academy Dr. Stephen Walker among others.