Drug abuse and high cost of education have been cited as the main hindrances to 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school.
This has been revealed by a research conducted by Zizi Afrique. The organisation conducts research that then informs formulation of policies concerning the welfare of children.
The research indicated that about 14 per cent of KCPE candidates in last year’s examinations failed to join secondary school due to drugs and alcohol.
The research conducted in Kahuro subcounty in Murang’a, Sololo in Marsabit, Cheptais in Bungoma and Dagoretti in Nairobi also attributed 29 per cent of the dropouts to the high cost of living.
Foundation’s head of research Morris Mutisya who spoke during a meeting with education stakeholders in Kahuro, Murang’a, said some learners get introduced to drugs at a young age, which affects their education.
He cited Kahuro, where about 33 per cent of the dropouts were caused by drugs and substance abuse.
“Of the four subcounties, Kahuro recorded the highest level of transition compared to the three others at 98 per cent,” he said.
Mutisya said drugs and substance abuse hindered transition by seven per cent in Dagoretti, six per cent in Sololo and 11 per cent in Cheptais.
Barriers such as funds to procure school uniforms and personal items necessary for joining Form 1, and boarding fees were also named as major hindrances.
Early marriages caused 10 per cent of the dropouts while another 12 per cent cited poor performance and 13 per cent blamed peer pressure.
But scholarships and bursaries offered by NG-CDF, county governments and corporates were listed as the main enablers of primary to secondary schools transition, especially for learners from poor backgrounds..
The research indicated that more than 90 per cent of students were supported by their families to join secondary schools with less than 10 per cent through bursaries and scholarships.
Kahuro enrolled more girls in secondary schools at 98.6 per cent compared to boys at 97. 4 per cent.
Girls also performed better in last year’s KCPE exam in the subcounty compared to the rest as they attained a mean score of 249.4 marks while boys attained a mean of 230 marks.
“Girls led boys with about 20 points. That’s a big gap,” Mutisya said.
Murang’a Primary School Heads Association chairperson Paul Mwaura said teachers are partnering with other education stakeholders to ensure the county attains 100 per cent transition in the future.
He explained that the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) indicated that the number of students who enrolled in secondary schools in Murang’a county exceeded the number of candidates who sat the KCPE exam.
“A big number of these students joined local secondary schools from other counties. It is our responsibility to work together as stakeholders and fight barriers such as drugs and early marriages that are hindering attainment of 100 per cent transition,” he said.
Two weeks ago, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki vowed to ruthlessly fight drug peddlers targeting learners terming them 'enemies of the state'.
The CS said the peddlers would be fought with the same vigour used to fight bandits and terrorists, saying they jeopardise the future of students and the country.
