Drug abuse among barriers that hinder 100 percent secondary school transition, reveals research

Murang’a

Saturday, August 19, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Drug and substance abuse among learners have been cited as one of the barriers which hinder attaining 100 percent secondary school transition in some counties.

Research carried out by Zizi Afrique Foundation in four sub-counties selected from different regions revealed that drug and substance abuse hindered secondary education transition by 14 percent.

The research which was done early this year in the four sub counties including Kahuro (Murang’a), Sololo (Marsabit), Cheptais (Bungoma) and Dagoretti (Nairobi) also revealed that the cost of schooling hindered the 100 transition to secondary school by 29 percent.

The Foundation’s head of research Mr. Morris Mutisya when meeting education stakeholders from Kahuro on Friday said the sub-county recorded the highest transition of 98 percent as compared to the other three sub counties.

Mutisya however said drug and substance abuse in Kahuro Sub County hindered the transition by 33 percent as compared to 7 percent in Dagoretti, six percent in Sololo and 11 percent in Cheptis.

“The research findings revealed that some children are introduced to drugs at early stages thus affecting their education,” said Mutisya.

Mutisya further said cost barriers including boarding fees and resources to acquire school uniforms and personal items were named as major reasons for not joining form one. “Other barriers which hindered 100 percent transition were early marriage by 10 percent, poor performance -12 percent and peer pressure-13 percent,” he noted.

The director revealed apart from the barriers, enablers of secondary school transition tended to focus on initiatives existing in the system to minimize cost barriers

The research highlighted bursaries and scholarships from NG-CDF, county governments and corporate organizations as main enablers for secondary school transition especially to learners from poor backgrounds.

“More than 90 percent of students were supported by their households to join secondary schools and less than 10 percent were supported by NG-CDF and county government through bursaries and scholarships,” he added.

On enrolment, Mutisya said in Kahuro more girls at 98.6 transited to secondary school as compared to boys at 97. 4 percent.

“Also in Kahuro Sub County as compared to the other three sub-counties, last year’s KCPE performance of girls was much better as compared to that of boys. Girls attained a mean score of 249.4 marks as compared to boys who attained a mean of 230 marks. There was a difference of about 20 points,” said Mutisya.

The chairperson of Murang’a Primary School Heads Association Mr. Paul Mwaura said teachers together with other education stakeholders are working to ensure in future the county attained 100 percent secondary school transition.

He divulged that according to NEMIS, Murang’a County recorded more than 100 percent transition, saying the big percentage is brought by students from other counties joining secondary schools in Murang’a.

“As stakeholders, we have to work together with all stakeholders and remove the barriers like drug abuse and early marriages which are hindering the attainment of 100 percent transition,” reiterated Mwaura.

Courtesy ; K. N. A