“Following the government’s policy of 100pc transition of pupils from primary to secondary schools since 2018, the Commission has ensured 100pc absorption of allocated funds and recruited a total of 13,700 teachers,” Macharia said.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, she said the commission is further proposing the employment of intern teachers to address the requirement.
“For the period spanning 2019-2022, the Commission shall require a total of 36,804 teachers for the full implementation of the 100pc transition for primary to secondary school level,” part of the statement read.
She was answering to a petition filed in Parliament by Teso South MP Joash Omuse who wanted to understand what plans the commission has put in place to employ trained P1 teachers who have graduated since 2006.
The 100 per cent Form 1 transition campaign was launched in February 8 this year by the former Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
By then, the ministry said it had realised 87 per cent enrolment nationwide and was determined to ensure 100 per cent enrolment.
“As of yesterday, NEMIS statistics indicated that the ministry had realized an 87 percent Form One reporting rate. This means that 895,987 students have now fully enrolled in Form One. Although this enrolment is seven percentage points better than last year, the ministry is determined to do everything possible to realise 100 per cent transition,” she said.