Murang’a County Strives for Full Secondary School Transition

MURANG’A, Kenya – In Murang’a County, approximately 500 students who completed their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations last year have not yet transitioned to secondary school. As of January 30th, the county achieved a 97 percent transition rate to secondary schools, as confirmed by Murang’a County Director of Education Ann Kiilu in an interview with Kenya News Agency (KNA).

According to Kenya News Agency, 207 in total, who have not yet enrolled in Form One. It is followed by Ithanga with 100 students, Kigumo with 87, and Mathioya with 47. Conversely, Kandara, Murang’a East, Gatanga, and Kangema sub-counties have achieved a 100 percent transition rate to high school.

Out of the 27,214 students who sat for their KCPE in the county last year, 165 have chosen to attend local vocational training centers. A multi-agency team is actively working to ensure that all students either transition to high schools or vocational colleges. This team, comprised of education officers, local chiefs and their assistants, and other stakeholders, has been conducting a mop-up exercise since last week to locate and assist students who are yet to join secondary education.

“Some learners have already been assisted to join various secondary schools since the mop-up exercise commenced. We will continue to search for the missing students and ensure they either join high schools or vocational training centres,” Kiilu stated.

Kiilu also encouraged parents of children who have not yet joined Form One to consider enrolling them in local day-secondary schools. She highlighted that Murang’a County hosts numerous day secondary schools that excel academically and in extracurricular activities, suggesting they could be a viable alternative for families facing challenges with the schools their children were initially admitted to.

“We understand there might be challenges preventing some parents from taking their children to schools they were admitted to, but there is an option of joining a day secondary school which is easily accessible,” Kiilu added, emphasizing the county’s commitment to achieving a 100 percent transition to secondary education.