The meeting discussed strategic education issues to be dealt with, including performance and resolving challenges emanating from the El-Niño rains that affected school infrastructure in Tana River County.

The County Commissioners and County Directors of Education were adequately guided on what needs to be done to address the challenge of grade Es in the KCSE examination.

“As you’re all aware the Cabinet Secretary came out very clearly that we need to understand and to be able to check adequately, cases of children who score Es. We have 48,000 of them, which constitute almost five percent of our children,” said Dr Kipsang.

The PS called for concerted efforts among education stakeholders, to make sure learners get a return on the investment the government has put in the education sector and transit to universities and TVETs.

He noted that the government is spending 30 percent of its resources in the education sector, adding “The government spent about Sh650 billion this year and therefore, we must be able to see a return in that particular investment.”

National government administration officers were directed to increase and regularize school visitations, to support teachers in curriculum delivery and assessment.

The visitations the PS explained will enable the government to understand better the environments in which learners and teachers operate, the government will be able to provide support to teachers at the school level.

The PS implored the County Commissioners to ensure adherence to government policies, including the fees guideline to curb extortion of parents by unscrupulous school heads.

Multi-agency teams are to be headed by County Commissioners, to effect the directive on policies.