Machakos: Following the recent government directive to ensure that all Grade 10 learners report to school with or without fees, Mikuyu Assistant Chief Peter Ngovu has managed to trace and take some missing students to school. The administrator embarked on a door-to-door mop-up operation in Vota villages in Machakos County, successfully tracking at least 10 missing learners who were unable to report to senior school due to lack of funds.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ngovu, with the help of village elders, traced and identified all the Grade 10 students who were stuck at home and managed to assist 10 of them with the necessary requirements to report to Vota Secondary School by Tuesday morning. The Sub-chief emphasized his commitment to ensuring all the learners in his area get an equal chance in life, adhering to the government's directive of 100% transition, recognizing that some learners come from extremely humble backgrounds where parents struggle to provide for basic needs.
"This initiative is quite necessary as it guarantees equal opportunities for all learners, and together with my village elders, we have ensured all the Grade 10 learners from Vota stuck at home are now in school," said Sub-chief Ngovu. Martha Mbatha, a parent whose son had been stuck at home, expressed relief and appreciation, stating that her casual work was insufficient to support her children, and commended the government for ensuring her son could report to school even without the school fees.
Peter Wambua, a grateful parent from Vota Mikuyu village, shared his struggles as a farmer affected by prolonged drought, which left him unable to feed or educate his children. He appreciated the efforts by the Chief and village elders, noting that they were unaware the government had allowed students to report without fees. Similarly, 15-year-old Dennis Musyoka, who reported to Vota Secondary School after staying home due to financial challenges, expressed his gratitude. He had been devastated watching his friends go to school while he remained home without hope for the future, and he thanked the chief and village elders for their assistance.