Central Region Pushes For 100 Transition Of Grade 7 And Grade 1 Learners

The Central Region Director of Education, Sabina Aroni, has called on school heads to unconditionally admit Grade 7 and Grade 1 learners, emphasizing that lack of school uniforms or other requirements should not hinder access to education.

Slow Reporting for Grade 7 and Grade 1 Learners

Last week, the Central Region recorded a slow rate of reporting among Grade 7 and Grade 1 learners. Many parents cited financial constraints, particularly the inability to purchase new school uniforms, as a reason for keeping their children at home.

Grade 7 learners transitioning to Junior Secondary School are required to wear distinct uniforms to differentiate them from primary school pupils, while Grade 1 learners entering lower primary often need new uniforms, especially when joining new schools.

Additionally, some parents delayed reporting while waiting for the release of the Grade 6 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results.

Directive for Immediate Admission

Ms. Aroni urged school heads to engage parents directly and prioritize learner attendance over uniform requirements.

“It may be desirable to have a new school uniform, but if a parent hasn’t managed to purchase one, the learner should still report to school in their primary school uniform until the parent can acquire the new uniform,” said Ms. Aroni.

Collaboration with Interior Ministry for 100% Transition

The Regional Director instructed Ministry of Education officers to collaborate with their Interior Ministry counterparts to track and facilitate the enrollment of all learners. Chiefs and assistant chiefs will play a critical role in identifying children who have not reported to school.

“No child should be denied the opportunity to learn due to unmet requirements, some of which are not compulsory,” Ms. Aroni emphasized.

Progress in Classroom Construction

Speaking at Moi Nyeri Complex Primary and Junior Secondary School, Ms. Aroni celebrated milestones in classroom construction under the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Program.

Completed Projects

• Phase 1: 494 classrooms constructed.
• Phase 2: 816 classrooms constructed.
• Completion Rate: 99% of the 1,310 classrooms planned in these phases are now ready.

Upcoming Construction Plans

The Ministry will add 282 classrooms across the region within the next 1.5 months. The two-phase project aims to ensure all 1,600 identified schools have adequate facilities for Grade 9 learners.

Learning Continues Uninterrupted

Despite ongoing construction, Ms. Aroni confirmed that all Grade 9 learners have been accommodated in existing classrooms, and learning is proceeding without disruption in Junior Secondary Schools across the region.

“Even in schools where new classrooms are yet to be built, learning is ongoing, and all learners are settled,” she assured.

Conclusion

The Central Region’s proactive measures to ensure 100% transition of Grade 7 and Grade 1 learners underscore the government’s commitment to inclusive education. With continued collaboration between education and interior ministry officers, alongside accelerated infrastructure projects, the region is well on its way to achieving equitable access to education for all learners.