Is 100pc transition rate from primary school to secondary feasible?

Education CS George Magoha during a press conference in Kibera Nairobi, in this photo taken on Monday, September 30 2019. [David Njaaga,Standard]

The Government’s policy on 100 per cent transition, now being enforced by Education CS George Magoha, is achievable. The Government has embarked on a move that requires strengthened facilities and resources at the secondary level.

To begin with, the Teachers Service Commission has responded to this critical issue by increasing the number of teachers to counter the surging numbers of learners transiting to the next level. This move will no doubt serve to embolden the Government’s determination.

The employment of interns is crucial, as it will cushion the massive step taken by the Government. Second, the disbursement of infrastructural funds to needy schools with the sole purpose of improving existing structures and putting up additional ones is aimed at ensuring that more learners are accommodated.

The overall intent is to actualise the Vision 2030 blueprint that seeks to ensure access to quality education for all. The first phase was realised last year despite a myriad challenges. Registration of students under NEMIS is essentially a fully developed system that will ensure monitoring of the process at the ministry’s headquarters.

It would not be feasible without such an elaborate data capture. The critical process had been envisaged by the Government through several policy measures put in place ahead of the time. The ministry’s responsibility is only to marshal forces available to enhance the policy’s implementation. Political goodwill is imperative on this frontier, and it is already available. Generally, the move is attainable.