Stop Sending Poor Students Home - Education PS to Principals

File image of University Education and Research Principal Secretary Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi
Ministry of Education Principal Secretary Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi
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The Ministry of Education has faulted school heads for frustrating the government’s efforts to achieve 100 per cent transition to secondary schools. 

State Department for University Education and Research Principal Secretary Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi has noted that although children are willing to learn, school heads are still sending them home for school fees. 

In an operation that was jointly done by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior, officers were able to identify a large number of students who are not in school for lack of school fees. 

“These children are willing to be in school to learn. Some of them are total orphans. They, however, have been sent away from school,” the PS remarked. 

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Kenyan school girls at an event in 2018
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The PS proceeded to say that the only way the government could achieve 100 per cent transition is if the school heads also strive for the same. 

“I want the heads of schools to understand and assist such students. By so doing, you will be supporting the government,” Nabukwesi explained. 

He added that all these children should get empowered, and that can only be done through education. 

The PS urged everyone to be concerned and responsible whenever they see a child who is not in school. 

Speaking at Kaptembwa chief’s offices, Nabukwesi urged school heads to avoid sending home pupils from poor backgrounds because of school fees. 

He had spotted a 14-year-old total orphan who was to join a very good school but wasn’t admitted because she couldn’t raise the required fees. 

“Heads of schools should understand and assist students from needy backgrounds. They should be able to provide them with uniform and other basic amenities once a child is admitted instead of sending him or her away,” he mentioned. 

The PS further directed the ministry to follow up on all students who are not in school yet they did their KCPE and ensure they go to school. 

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KCPE students sitting national exams in 2019
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