The Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has rolled out an extensive census in Nairobi to map out all schools in the country and record their data.
The main objective of the 2024 school census according to KNBS is to provide up-to-date information regarding basic learning institutions. The field data collection exercise will be undertaken for a period of 50 days in all the schools in the country.
The 2024 school census will cover all learning institutions including those providing basic education such as pre-primary, primary, junior, secondary schools and special needs education units for both public and private institutions as well as all international schools.
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The launch signified the rollout of field data collection and was presided over by Belio R. Kipsang, the PS for State Department for Basic Education as the chief guest, flanked by James Muhati, PS, State Department for Economic Planning.
The exercise aims to record all school students, their demographics and the condition of the institutions to which learners are currently attached.
The census will also look into the facilities in the school including members of staff, and equipment in the institutions among other demographics.
Census in schools
School heads will access questionnaires that will be printed and answered appropriately before submission to the statistics body for processing and storage.
The Kenyan national educational system consists of three levels; eight years of compulsory primary education (beginning at age six), four years at the secondary level, and four years of higher education.
According to a report by the Federation of American Women's Club Overseas (FAWCO), the pre-pandemic, nationwide enrolment in primary school was 93%; however, only 63% of Kenyan boys and 68% of girls complete primary education, and only 53% enrol in secondary school.
"Despite the Kenyan government prioritizing education, Kenyan public education is rife with inadequate facilities, insufficient and often poorly trained teachers, overcrowded classrooms and poor results," the report indicates.
The report further states that a section of the students in rural Kenya are still learning under trees, while 43 per cent of girls and 29 per cent of boys in Kibera do not attend school at all.
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