This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 23, 2019, the Ministry of Education in Kenya presented draft national guidelines for school re-entry in basic education to stakeholders at a workshop held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The guidelines aim to provide a framework for facilitating the re-entry of learners who have dropped out of school for various reasons, including those living on the streets.
Acting Director for Policy, Partnership and East African Community Affairs Dr. Sylvester Mulambe highlighted several factors that contribute to learners dropping out of school, including early pregnancy, child marriages, female genital mutilation, drugs and substance abuse, and bullying.
Dr. Mulambe emphasized that the guidelines will go beyond addressing the re-entry of the girl child and will focus on providing opportunities for all learners to progress and access quality education, regardless of their circumstances.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Narok County had the highest burden of child pregnancy at 40%, followed by Homa Bay at 33%, and West Pokot at 29%.
Meanwhile, in Busia County, parents have been urged to be vigilant and keep track of their children's whereabouts during school holidays to prevent abduction by strangers.
Busia Sub County Children's Officer Luke Papa warned that traffickers have become trickier with time and can lure children using goodies before trafficking them.
