Shock as western province is ranked last in a performance survey

Written by Daniel saenyi

Daniel Wesonga of UWEZO dring the unveiling of its report on educational levels in Western Province, its findings revealed that the province was ranked last among the eight province.

Despite the fact some schools in western province receive funds from the Government for I.T development,  a survey carried by an organization concerned with education matters- UWEZO Kenya has unveiled that education levels still deteriorate to the extent that western province was ranked last in all the eight provinces countrywide where the exercise took place.

Speaking at a National initiative forum that brought together members from the western region, Uwezo Kenya’s Dr. Sarah Ruto expressed her concerns over what might have happened to the region that has been known to produce the best scholars since time immemorial.

Ruto stressed the need to keenly scrutinize the situation, and properly address the problem at hand in order to raise the education status.

“As much as leaders have to take charge of the reality, the level of education is determined by western Kenya populace,” she said.

 Uwezo Kenya’s Dr. Sarah Ruto

According to the findings of the survey that were carried out in the four counties of western province counties, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga districts are the worst hit regions and lag behind in performance.

One of the major problems that were pointed out to contribute to under performance is lack of enough teachers.

Daniel Wesonga of UWEZO Kenya hinted that in almost every school they visited, teacher shortage was a major problem with an average shortage of five teachers per facility as well as absenteeism by both teachers and students.

“Heavy shortage of teachers does not cover the fact that absentism of both teachers and students is prominent in the region therefore dragging education down,” he said.

In addition, education facilities are wanting, in that most schools lack enough class rooms; mostly in villages or either the classes are in a poor condition, with poor or no desks to be used by the students.

Also in attendance was Professor Ruth Oniang’o who affirmed that poor condition in schools cannot count as a reason for poor performance and explained that years back students managed to become the best, scoring better grades despite the more severe conditions that they had to undergo.

Calls for parents to motivate their children and encourage the exposure of students to an education system outside the province to assist broaden literacy levels were made, as well as the inculcating of good leadership and commitments on the part of both teachers and students.

 Planning and vision 2030 Minister Wycliffe Oparanya reiterated that in line with attaining vision 2030, education is the key player to success.

 Planning and vision 2030 Minister Wycliffe Oparanya

Oparanya added that increasing poverty levels is a major contributor to poor performance in schools and that in order to raise education standards, poverty related issues must be addressed wholly.

On the issue of teachers shortage, Oparanya said the problem will always be a challenge to most schools and free education has compromised the quality of education in that teacher student ratio is absurd.

He urged schools to compete amongst themselves and was quick to note that every school is capable of producing even leaders.

“As a community, enough training of teachers is highly recommended to cope with technological development in the sector,” he said.