Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha directed parents to enroll high-achieving students in free day schools, emphasizing that financial barriers should not impede access to secondary education. The directive came as part of efforts to address delayed Form One admissions under the government's 100% transition policy.
Speaking in Kajiado County on May 21, Magoha stated that parents unable to afford boarding school fees should transfer children to nearby day schools, which provide free education with only a uniform required for enrollment. He criticized claims that financial constraints prevented admissions, noting that the government had already allocated resources for free secondary education.
The CS reiterated the policy during a 2022 admissions drive, following concerns about unmet enrollment targets. In March 2022, he acknowledged ongoing challenges but confirmed mop-up exercises would begin on May 16 to ensure all students were registered. This follows years of underperformance in achieving universal secondary education, a goal the Ministry of Education has pursued since 2019.
Magoha's remarks coincided with reports of disputes over school fee hikes, though he maintained that day schools remained free. The directive also referenced a 2021 image of the CS interacting with 2020 KCPE candidates, highlighting ongoing efforts to address educational access gaps.
