This archive report was first published on 2 January 2020.
On a visit to Nyeri County, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha emphasized the importance of 100% transition of all Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates to secondary school.
Speaking on Wednesday, Magoha stated that the ministry would follow up on all candidates, including those who may have been married off, to ensure that all Class Eight candidates transit to secondary schools.
"We shall go after the parents and they will tell us why the children are not in school. If we find the children, we will take them to school ourselves and we will do it forcibly," Magoha said.
Magoha warned that stern action would be taken against parents who keep their children from school, and that local administrators would be roped in to enforce the 100% transition.
"We will work with chiefs and other local administrators to spot the children who are not in school," he added.
Magoha's visit was part of an impromptu visit to the homes of bright but needy children at Witemere slums in Nyeri town who are set to benefit from the National Government's Elimu Fund.
The Sh3 billion initiative, launched by the government last year, seeks to offer full scholarships to 9,000 candidates who sat for their KCPE examinations this year.
It is expected to benefit candidates from 110 disadvantaged sub-counties and 15 urban centres with informal settlements. In Nyeri Township, 35 students are set to benefit from the fund.
