Mandera County has emerged as one of the top-performing counties in the transition of learners to Grade 10, with the majority of students who completed primary education successfully reporting to senior secondary schools.
Figures from the Ministry of Education indicate that more than 90 per cent of eligible learners from Mandera have joined Grade 10, placing the county among those with the highest transition rates nationally as the admission deadline nears. Education stakeholders in the county attribute the strong performance largely to sustained county investment in education, particularly the bursary programme that has eased the financial burden on parents and guardians.
For several years, the Mandera County Government has implemented bursary support targeting learners from vulnerable households, including children from pastoralist families who are often affected by poverty, drought, and mobility-related challenges. The bursaries have helped cover school fees and related costs, enabling many learners to transition to secondary school without interruption.
Local education officials say the availability of bursary support has reduced dropout rates, especially at the point of transition from primary to secondary school, which has historically been a major barrier for learners in arid and semi-arid areas.
Parents and school administrators note that the bursary programme has been particularly critical for girls, helping to keep them in school at a stage where financial pressure, early marriage, and household responsibilities often threaten continuation of education.
In addition to financial support, coordinated efforts by school heads, local administrators, and community leaders have helped track learners after placement and encourage timely reporting to schools, including in remote parts of the county.
As Kenya continues the rollout of senior secondary education under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Mandera’s experience is being viewed as an example of how county-level interventions, when combined with national education policy, can significantly improve access and retention.
Education officials say continued investment in bursaries and learner support will be key to sustaining high transition rates and ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial constraints.