High illiteracy levels among pupils in upgrades worries education authorities in Eastern Province.

The Ministry of Education in Eastern province has bemoaned the high illiteracy levels among pupils in upgrades.
Addressing District Education Board Standard Officers in Chikungu, Provincial Education Officer, Thomas Mwanza, observed that pupils in schools are not able to read, resulting into difficulties in writing.
Mr. Mwanza says it is unfortunate that some of the grade nine pupils are unable to read and write, because grade seven examinations carry multiple choice items and it is easy to pass.
He stated that bad reading culture, and failure, to write are some of the contributing factors, to the low performance for grade examinations.
Mr. Mwanza pointed out that there is need to improve learner’s performance in the region, by ensuring that low grades are able to read and write.
And the Province Education Officer has directed DESOs to intensify on the monitoring and inspection of schools, to improve the standard of teaching.
Mr. Mwanza told DESOs to wake up head teachers, who do not monitor teaching staff.