Only 53.3pc join secondary education in Rukwa

RUKWA: SINCE schools reopened for the new academic year, only 53.3 per cent of students selected for secondary education have reported to the schools they were chosen for in Rukwa Region.

The Rukwa Regional Education Officer (REO), Mr Samson Hango, told reporters over the weekend that 29,409 students had excelled in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) last year and were selected to join Form One in their assigned schools.

“The region projected to enrol 57,000 pupils in pre-primary schools, and so far, 89.4 per cent of them have been registered, while in Standard One, 83.9 per cent of the projected 51,347 pupils have been enrolled,” added the REO.

Mr Hango also said they have called upon local government leaders at the street, village, ward and district levels to continue closely monitoring children who have not yet reported to school. He insisted that the students must start classes as soon as possible.

“All students should report to the schools they have been selected for, as no one will be left behind since there are plenty of classrooms constructed to accommodate all of them,” emphasised the REO.

As of January 26, the whereabouts of 13,725 students who were supposed to be in classes were still unknown.

“We know we still have time for them to show up; the admission window is open until March. Collectively, we must ensure that those kids do not disappear. All 29,409 students must report to the schools they have selected to join,” added the REO.

He urged parents to collaborate with the government in improving infrastructure that would be conducive to their children’s academic progress.

Mr Hango expressed that despite the government’s efforts to provide free education to all children from primary to secondary school, parents and guardians have a big role in improving their children’s academic performance.

“Parents must prepare and get ready to ensure that our students are in a favourable atmosphere to study. There are no school fees, but they must take responsibility for taking care of those schools,” he explained.

Rukwa Region has 399 primary schools, of which 379 have classes for pre-primary pupils.