Nyanza embarks on door-to-door mop up of Form 1 students

Over 600 students are yet to report to Form 1 in Nyanza region as the government launches a campaign to mop up the learners.

The door-to-door campaign is aimed at achieving a 100 per cent transition to Form 1 by end of the week.

Director of Education Nyanza Region Nelson Sifuna said the campaign is being carried out by a multi-agency team across the region.

Sifuna said currently, they stand at 96 per cent transition as per the students who sat their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE)  last year and have so far reported within various schools.

Speaking at Kisumu Girls High School, Sifuna said parents who were unable to take their children to school due to lack of fees have been directed to take them to the nearest Day secondary schools.

"We want parents to know that if they still have a student who is yet to join Form 1, they should be take them to the nearest Day school where they will be admitted free of charge with their primary school uniform as arrangements are made to purchase new uniforms," he said.

In the past week, the multi-agency team rounded up around 166 students who had had not joined Form 1 due to lack of fees and had all already given up.

The students were taken to various schools in the region with the exercise expected to round up more learners especially in the informal settlements.

Among the students netted during the exercise was Joylene Akoth who scored 377 marks and was selected to join Sigoti Girls High School in Nyakach Subcounty, Kisumu.

However, due to lack of fees, the 13-year-old girl had been staying at home until she was taken to Kisumu Girls High School as she awaits her luck for a sponsor to assist her.

Akoth's mother has been sick in the hospital and the father cannot afford to take her to school with both parents not having sustainable income.

Principal Eva Akeyo who received the girl promised to continue looking for sponsors to fund her education even as she continues learning.

Sifuna lauded the gesture and appealed to sponsors and well-wishers to come in and assist so that the students can continue with their education.

"We are happy with the way schools are receiving those students that were still at home," Sifuna said.