The revelation that a third, or 29 per cent, of the learners transitioning from junior to senior school lack basic literacy and numeracy skills speaks volumes about the shortcomings in the education system. This is the Grade Nine lot preparing to join senior school, but who cannot read or count.
Doubts have been raised about the ability of the junior schools to prepare learners for the next phase of the competency-based education (CBE). There is a major gap between school attendance and actual learning. Research on basic education also shows that pupils in the rural public schools are the most affected.
Government policies have enabled the gathering of learners in classrooms, but have terribly failed to ensure they effectively learn or that schools are properly equipped.
There are huge infrastructure and resource gaps, with only 27.5 per cent of junior schools having functional science laboratories. Only 27 per cent have a library. Private and urban schools are better equipped than rural and public institutions.
A substantial number of learners have progressed through junior school without mastering the required literacy and numeracy skills. Junior school, which covers Grades Seven, Eight and Nine is supposed to be a critical stage in the basic education system under the CBE.
Shockingly, one in every five Grade Nine learners cannot read a Grade Three English story. Three in 10 Grade Seven learners are similarly handicapped.
Schools are facing challenges preparing learners for senior school. Funding is also a major obstacle, with only 53.2 per cent of junior schools receiving financial disbursements, including capitation, on time.
Students lacking basic skills struggle to cope with the specialised Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences and the Arts pathways. This report is yet another stark reminder of the need to urgently fix the shortcomings at all levels in the CBE.