Dokora grilled in Parliament over From One enrolment

Now, what I am saying is that in January, we are starting a new syllabus.  What I am challenged with is that I am looking at teachers who are competent in ICT and can take sport disciplines, mathematics and science.  That is my challenge right now.  Thank you.

*HON. MAHOKA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker.  My question is directed to the Minister.  What is Government policy on children in boarding schools?  All boarding schools want four units.  So, I do not know what is going to happen to those who cannot attain the four units.  Also the issue of boarding schools – we have very few boarding schools but we have so many primary schools.  I do not know, are you looking into that?  Do you have any plans that all our children should not end up as cattle herders?  I do not know what the Government says about four units.

*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA):  I want to thank you Mr. Speaker for the question…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Hon. Members, you represent the people.  You must understand Government policy no matter which political party because it is Government policy which you are obligated to explain to the people.  That is why you are here.  So, I want you, Hon. Members to listen carefully and interrogate the Minister thereafter if need be.

*HON. DR. DOKORA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the Hon. Member who wants to know the Government’s policy on children’s education.  Firstly, when I came into this House, I said that we have percentage pass rates which we are alluding to and I said that the girls did much better than the boys in the last examinations. I also alluded to the fact that those we say were able to attain credits; it does not mean they are the only ones who go for Form One but all of them.  I said that Grade Seven is like a litmus test paper so that we can measure intelligence of the students in terms of numerical, languages and general knowledge.  However, we want all pupils to proceed to Form One.

Twenty-four pupils are the ones who can acquire boarding places but 305 000 are day scholars.  So, all the students are proceeding to Form One.  This is the largest volume of children getting into Form One because it is a measure of success on our policy that there is no child who is not allowed to proceed to Form One even if parents are complaining about school fees.  We want these children to continue.  Many of them have survived and that is why we have these figures.  At the same time, I also said there are about 4500 students who were married or impregnated.  We will meet them through non-formal education policy.  Thank you.

*HON. NDUNA:  Thank you Minister for the answer that you have given.  In the constituencies that we come from, there are children who have 15 units and some who have 28 units who cannot get places into secondary schools.  It is not only one school but many schools.  So, if they cannot get access, what should we do as parents?  Should we come to you so that you give us letters urging schools to take these children?  Right now children are at home because they have more units and are not getting access to Form One places.  This is because they are not competent enough and cannot get four units.

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