Report shows boys top in school dropout rates

Taita Taveta has the highest primary school dropout rate for male pupils, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Dropout ratio for boys in the county stood at 17 per cent compared to two per cent for girls. The national average dropout rate at the primary school level stands at three per cent, with incidence still higher for boys.

“Most of the male pupils in the county abandon school to venture into economic activities, including mining and herding at the ranches,” said Wolde Wesa, programme officer at the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) that released the ‘‘2013 School Report Card.’’

The report blames Taita Taveta state of affairs on the minimal or no attention accorded to schoolboys as well as teacher absenteeism that has had direct impact on prospects of pupils completing primary education.

Elgeyo-Marakwet and Kajiado counties recorded the lowest dropout rates at 0.3 per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively.

READ: High school drop-out rate threatens Vision 2030 goal

Speaking at the launch of the report in Nairobi, NTA chairman Peter Kubebea emphasised the need for parents to participate in their children’s education.

“The report shows parents are absconding their responsibility to teachers who are in turn overwhelmed by the high number of pupils enrolled following introduction of the Free Primary Education,” he said.

Education secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said that to date, more than Sh85.9 billion had been disbursed to 20,830 primary public schools.

“While there has been commendable progress towards realising Universal Primary Education, quality remains a major challenge across the education spectrum,” said Prof Kaimenyi.