A 12-member task force has been formed to undertake comprehensive empirical study of education policies and practice in Busia county.
It is aimed at identifying and understanding the problems in the sector and suggesting viable solutions.
County Education Board Professor John Shiundu released the names after the Busia County Stakeholders Forum presided over by Governor Sospeter Ojaamong at Busia Agricultural Training Centre.
The members include County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer William Makori, Deputy County Director Teachers Service Commission Yusuf Ali, Kuppet county executive secretary Moffat Okisai, Busia Knut executive secretary Patrick Mulamba and Donald Ouma from Kepsha.
Others are Jane Adongo (CEB), Eunice Wandera representing the county government, Fr Maurice Nangili (religious organisations), Prof Okumu Bigambo (professionals), Grace Ambole (special needs), Nickson Boyi (Kessha) and Namunyweda Mixed Secondary School principal Joseph Nangabo (ICT).
The ex-officio members include Busia Senator Amos Wako, Education Executive John Mwami, TSC county director Ibrahim Rugut and MPs Oku Kaunya (Teso North), Geoffrey Omuse (Teso South), John Bunyasi (Nambale), Joseph Oyula (Butula), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Dr Oundo Mudenyo (Funyula), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang'i) and Florence Mutua (Woman Representative).
While delivering his presentation, Makori cited a number of challenges hindering provision of quality education in the county. They include a shortage of teachers compared to other schools nationally; low entry behaviour, inadequate teaching and learning resources, limited support from parents, fees payment and low access to education.
He cited others as a high number of dropouts, low transition rates, high indiscipline and low academic achievements, poor attitude of students and high indiscipline.
He also said the teacher to student ratio is low.
Among the strategies to salvage education standards include activation of academic committees, setting achievable targets, engaging stakeholders to mobilise resources, integrated work plan, regular stakeholders forums, workshops for head of departments' guiding and counselling, subject-based workshops in CRE and Agriculture, early syllabus coverage, timely release of KCSE analysis to identify gaps and develop strategies to address them.
Others include early syllabus coverage, harmonising deputy principals' workshops in all subcounties, mentorship programmes for the top and low achievers, enhancing curriculum supervision among others.
Edited by R.Wamochie
