Ministry of Education Initiates Data Verification to Eliminate ‘Ghost Learners’
In an effort to tackle the issue of ‘ghost learners’ receiving capitation funds, the government has instructed secondary school principals to update and verify the details of their schools and students.
The directive, issued by Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang in a circular dated May 2, requires county directors of education to complete this task by May 26.
Over the past week, school heads have been diligently compiling the necessary information, despite facing challenges resulting from the government’s failure to disburse capitation funds for secondary education.
Dr Kipsang’s circular specifically instructs school principals to provide fresh details of the learners for the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
The primary objective of this exercise is to determine the number of learners who are not registered in NEMIS but are present in the class register.
Additionally, the government aims to update any changes in school names or principals that may have occurred over time.
The county directors of education have been tasked with collecting and verifying the forms, which will then be submitted to the office of the director of education.
While some principals view this initiative as redundant, arguing that most of the requested information is already available in NEMIS, others recognize the importance of the exercise.
Unfortunately, due to low fee payment rates from parents, only a small percentage of schools have received the necessary funds.
This predicament has left teachers grappling with numerous challenges, causing frustration among the education community.
Caesar Njoroge, Principal of Gititu High School, criticizes the circular as a delaying tactic employed by the Ministry of Education.
Njoroge emphasizes that schools are in desperate need of resources to sustain their operations.
Similar sentiments are echoed by Njenga Githige, Principal of Muthithi Secondary School, who highlights the difficulties faced by day schools in particular due to insufficient funding.
Naomi Njehia, Principal of Kahuhia Girls, emphasizes the urgent requirement for resources to support school programs.
The Ministry of Education has requested that these updated details be submitted through the county directors of education.
Although some principals in the North Rift region have already provided the necessary data, which is currently being forwarded to the respective county directors, others are still awaiting information on the data collection process, despite having undergone a similar exercise last year.
The principals reveal that this exercise is being conducted discreetly following communication from the ministry.
The information requested in the latest data tool includes school registration, location, enrollment per class, details of the principal, appointment letters, and school accounts.
Ministry of Education Initiates Data Verification to Eliminate ‘Ghost Learners’
