Education is a backbone to national development and an indispensable means to protecting human rights since it provides the environment required for securing good health, security, economic well-being and participation in social-political activities.

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Since the introduction of free education in Kenya, we have seen the rise in the access to education in Kenya.

According to the 2016 economic survey, the total number of educational institutions increased by 4.6 per cent from 79,641 in 2014 to 83,336 in 2015. 

Total enrolment in secondary schools rose by 13.0 per cent to 2.6 million in 2015. This positive increase is an indication that the government is committed to its pledge of education for all.

In terms of expenditure, the government has used Sh297,850,900,000 in the financial year 2015/16. 

Compared to other current expenditures in the social scene category, education takes the second largest share that translates to 41% of the total expenditure in that category.

Kisii County hasn’t been left behind in trying to catch up with the rest of the country in this crucial sector.

In the financial year 2014/15, Kisii County government disbursed Sh135 million as bursaries to 4, 694 needy students in the county. 

The County government has also finalised the procurement process for the construction of ECDE classrooms and the youth polytechnics across the wards.

Since the education sector hasn’t been wholly devolved, the county government has little roles. 

In Kisii county, there are still many challenges affecting education among them are; staff shortage in schools, lack of facilities such as laboratories and class rooms, electricity in some institutions, poor teaching methods and unqualified staff.

The population of Kisii County is rapidly increasing and as the population increases, the number of educational resources need to be erected to accommodate the increase. 

As of 2012, there were 904 ECD centers in the county with 1,184 teachers, 467 primary schools with 6,278 teachers and 334 secondary schools with 3, 940 teachers. 

Considering the major development challenges of population pressure, with the projected increase to 1,367,049 in 2017, the county government needs to put in place policies to support and improve the education sector in the county. 

As a County, we can’t afford to derail our development because we ignored a crucial sector.