The government has intensified its nationwide drive to achieve 100 per cent school enrolment, calling on all children to attend school regardless of whether they have uniforms or school fees.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has said as all children have a right to basic education, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Kenyan child accesses learning as a constitutional right and a critical foundation for social, economic, and human capital development.
He echoed President Dr. William Ruto’s directive on universal education, stressing that the Ministry of Education, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), parents and guardians, must take full responsibility to ensure that every eligible learner is enrolled in school and remains in class without interruption, while urging principals not to turn away any student for lack of uniforms or unpaid school fees, hence leaving no child behind in the pursuit of quality and inclusive education.
Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving church service in Maemba Village, Sigowet Soin Constituency, Kericho County, the DP disclosed that NGAOs, working in close coordination with education officers, have been placed under strict instructions. This is to ensure a 100 per cent transition of all Grade 10 learners to Senior Secondary schools.
Prof. Kindiki emphasized that universal access to education was critical for building a skilled, productive, and cohesive society. He stressed that denying any child the opportunity to learn not only robs them of their potential, but also weakens national development, social stability, and the country’s long-term economic growth.
“Every child must go to school regardless of whether they have uniforms or whether school fees has been paid, because no learner should ever be turned away, or denied the right to education under any circumstance, and the government will intervene and resolve all challenges to ensure that every student remains in class and continues learning,” stressed the DP.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kindiki has revealed that 92 per cent of Grade 10 learners have already been successfully admitted to senior secondary schools across the country. The remaining eight per cent are expected to report beginning Monday, under strict adherence to the President’s directive to ensure that no eligible learner is left out of the education system.
The DP also pointed out that the government has invested billions of shillings in modern education infrastructure to fully support the Competency Based Education. This includes the construction of 23,000 classrooms and 1,600 laboratories nationwide, ensuring that learners across the country have access to safe, well-equipped, and conducive learning environments.
“To further enhance learning outcomes, the recruitment, and deployment of 100,000 teachers have not only addressed critical staffing gaps and improved learner–teacher ratios, but has also substantially elevated the quality of instruction and academic performance in public schools nationwide,” he said.
At the same time, Prof. Kindiki urged Kenyans to disregard persons seeking to discredit, or undermine the implementation of Universal Health Coverage through Taifa Care, revealing that more than 29 million Kenyans are already registered. The ultimate goal is to ensure every citizen is onboarded to the health insurance scheme to access quality, affordable, and sustainable medical care.
The interdenominational thanksgiving service brought together congregants from 14 churches. It was attended by key leaders from across the South Rift Region, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho County Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, Kericho County Women Representative Beatrice Kemei and her Bomet counterpart Linet Chepkorir, members of parliament Nelson Koech (Belgut), Justice Kemei (Sigowet Soin), Joseph Cherorot (Kipkelion East) and Hillary Kosgei (Kipkelion), among others.\
By Kibe Mburu
