Dennis Lumiti 

The government was yesterday urged to invest in modern infrastructure in secondary schools to be able to achieve the 100 per Form One transition.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the ambitious transition programme would not be achieved if money is not allocated for building more classrooms, dormitories and other facilities in both boarding and day schools.

“The 100 per cent transition programme is a noble idea but achieving  the goal is a toll order because most schools, if not all, are not in a position to accommodate the large number of students joining them because of lack of adequate facilities,” he said.

He added: “Take Kakamega School, for instance  has enrolled more than 700 Form One students this year yet the number of classrooms and other facilities remain the same.

This is a big problem.” He challenged Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha to use the same spirited efforts he has put in ensuring students enroll in secondary schools to also develop infrastructure.

“Schools do not have money for infrastructure upgrade. The government needs to move with speed to equip institutions to be able to comfortably accommodate the learners,” he added.

Oparanya was speaking in Butere when he inspected development projects in the constituency.

He said other schools have converted dining halls and other structures like stores into dormitories and classrooms, this he said, would compromise education standards.

He said some learners were forced to learn under trees due to lack of classrooms.