Education CS Magoha decries low turnout in Form One reporting

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha now says that there has been a low turnout of Form One students who were supposed to report to secondary schools this week.

CS Magoha, speaking to the press at Kisumu Girls High School on Saturday, underlined that the government - through his ministry - will identify students who are yet to report to their designated secondary schools and ensure that they do so. 

Magoha is of the opinion that the low turnout is as a result of parents keeping their children at home in the hopes that they will be able to find alternative school placings for them. 

"I think that the reporting in school is still very low and I have a feeling that some people still think that they are going to change schools and I am going to give firm instructions to school heads that the issue of changing school should stop," said the CS.

He went on to say that despite the institutions in which the Class 8 leavers are called to, all schools across the country are equally funded as such parents should have nothing to worry about in terms of their children getting the best education.   

"Children should go to schools where they are placed unless there are special circumstances. Like maybe medical…that we can permit. Every Kenyan school is well-funded, every child is funded at the same level," he said.

"What will determine the child's performance is the child's self drive and discipline so stop keeping the children at home because you think they are going to be taken to another school. That is not going to happen."

He likewise urged well-wishers to sponsor students who may not have the means to pursue secondary education while urging less fortunate parents to send their children to school regardless of if they have school fees or not. 

"Forget about all the politics we are hearing we must empower the poor to also break the ceiling. Let all children come to school and we will ensure that they are well received. To the parents who don't have enough money send your child with the little that you have as you look for the rest," Magoha said.