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Lamu Governor raises red flag over university transition rate

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy during a stakeholder meeting with all secondary school heads in the county on February 3, 2024. (Photo: Lamu County Government)

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Only 192 out of the 2,040 KCSE students under the Lamu county scholarship programme in 2023 attained university grades.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has expressed concerns about the secondary school to university transition rate.

The governor noted that if drastic measures were not taken, the downturn would continue.

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He spoke on Saturday when he chaired the Lamu County Education stakeholders forum at Lamu Polytechnic to deliberate on the desired change in the education sector in the county.

"Out of 2,040 students who sat for 2023 KCSE in Lamu, 400 were under the county scholarship programme. However, only 192 out of 2,040 managed to attain university grades, an indicator that we have not been able to utilise the scholarship to the optimum," stated Governor Timamy.

Threats

He said a significant threat towards students' achievement is their lack of attendance, as he placed a strong emphasis on parents carrying out their duties.

Participants during the Lamu education stakeholders meeting on February 3, 2024. (Photo: Lamu County Government)

The governor also cited a lack of sufficient boarding facilities in boarding schools, inadequate vital infrastructure (such as laboratories and ICT labs), and low teacher enthusiasm.

He noted the scarcity among language and science teachers, adding tutors should be encouraged with rewards as well as prioritising the setting up of workshops and training.

Speaking at the forum, the governor asked for the support of all parties involved in raising Lamu’s educational standards.

Governor Issa also promised to raise standards by making sure bursaries and scholarships are awarded on time, increasing the hiring of ECDE teachers, and building ECDE infrastructure.

"Our discussions focused on how the county can cooperate with the major stakeholders in attempts to raise educational standards in Lamu,” he said.

Last week, while issuing over Sh3.9 million in scholarships to secondary schools in Lamu Central, Governor Timamy said needy students would benefit immensely from the funds by being able to remain in school uninterrupted.

Speaking at Lamu Girls' during the official launch of scholarship disbursement cheques which all heads of secondary schools from Lamu Central were invited, the governor promised to reach out to partners to ensure they help the school achieve its key infrastructure developments.