In a significant stride towards achieving a 100% transition, the Ministry of Education in Kenya has successfully placed 1.4 million candidates from the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) into Form One positions. This move, announced by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu at Lenana School, reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive education and eliminating barriers to secondary education.
According to Machogu, candidates who scored 400 marks and above have secured spots in either National or Extra County schools of their choice. Meanwhile, those who scored below this threshold have found placements in county or sub-county schools based on predetermined parameters.
The commitment to inclusivity is further evident in the allocation for learners with special needs. Machogu emphasized that these learners were placed in either regular or Special Needs schools based on their disability categories, merit, and personal choice.
The distribution is comprehensive, with 42,927 students securing spots in National schools, 274,746 in Extra County Schools, 288,201 in County Schools, and 792,230 in Sub-county Schools. Additionally, 2,225 students with special needs have been placed in Special Needs Education (SNE) institutions.
To ensure the success of the 100% transition, Machogu highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and education officials at the county and sub-county levels. Their joint efforts aim to facilitate the enrollment of every learner into secondary education, leaving no child behind.
In terms of financial accessibility, Machogu assured parents that the government remains steadfast in providing Free Day Secondary Education grants per learner. Notably, boarding fees in public secondary schools will remain unchanged in 2024. Schools will continue to receive funds based on accurate enrollment data submitted through the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
Addressing concerns about the financial burden on parents for school uniforms, Machogu emphasized flexibility. Parents and guardians have the liberty to source school uniforms from distributors of their choice, provided they adhere to the specifications set by respective schools. This move aims to empower parents to make choices aligned with their budgetary constraints.
In a commendable initiative, the government, through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation and the Equity Group Foundation, has awarded 37,574 scholarships to poor, vulnerable, and marginalized learners across the country. An additional 14,426 Elimu Scholarships are set to be awarded in all 47 counties, targeting economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes affirmative action for candidates with special needs and disabilities who attained below 280 marks in the 2023 KCPE Examination.
Machogu highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving parity in education through affirmative action. Notably, 130 learners from identified slums and informal settlements in urban areas have been placed in National schools, and 167 in Extra County schools. This strategic placement aligns with the Djibouti Declaration of 2017 on Regional Refugee Education, ensuring the inclusion of learners from primary schools within refugee camps.
To access the Form One selection results, candidates can visit the Ministry of Education’s official website (www.education.go.ke) or (www.kemis.education.go.ke). Here, they can view their results and download joining instructions, marking the beginning of an exciting educational journey for these 1.4 million students across Kenya.