The Nation (Nairobi)
Mazera Ndurya
3 November 2009
Nairobi — Education officials at the Coast have been asked to investigate the cause of high school drop-out rate and come up with a solution.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Education, only 38 per cent of children who enrol for Standard One sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams.
This has raised concerns over the fate of the rest of the children.
On Tuesday, Tourism minister Najib Balala said the transition rate from primary to secondary school was too low, making efforts to improve education standards more difficult.
The minister was speaking during the Mombasa education consultative meeting at Serena Hotel.
He said despite the huge investment in education in the area, the performance was still wanting.
Mr Balala, however, said as leaders they will continue to press for additional funding in the devolved funds to help boost education."We cannot hope to compete on the job market when our people do not have the right education standards and skills.
"It is even worrying that despite the establishment of constituent universities and even after setting aside slots for children from the region at institutions like Utalii College, very few have the qualifications to get admitted," Mr Balala said.
There is now greater need than ever before to have affirmative action regarding education development to help improve standards in the province.
The minister took issue with parents for failing to take up education seriously, saying even the free learning programme has had little impact in the area.
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