APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA 217. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports established the Development Fund to encourage enterprise development and labour exportation. In March 2009, the government introduced the Kazi Kwa Vijana initiative to provide labour-intensive employment for the youth, employing 59,853 youth by end of 2010. Challenges were noted in regard to promoting the rights of youth, such as the high proportion of educated unemployed, high ruralurban migration in search of jobs resulting in more unemployment and pressure on public services in urban areas; a largely unregulated informal sector in which the youth are mainly employed, employers’ preference for casual, temporary, part-time, contract, sub-contracted and outsourced workforces to reduce labour costs, work place exploitation and abuse, and job selectivity and demand for high salaries for entry level jobs. 3.9.2 Findings of the Review Mission 3.9.2.1 Progress made since 2006 218. Under Article 53 of the Constitution, the rights of children are guaranteed and in all matters concerning the child, the principle of the child’s best interests is overarching. In regard to youth, the Constitution undertakes to promote access to relevant education and training; opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, and economic and other spheres of life; access employment; and protection from harmful cultural practices and exploitation. 3.9.2.2 Education of children and young persons 219. The Early Childhood Development Education Policy is premised on universal education and its implementation so far has seen higher numbers of Kenyan children accessing education. The enrolment rate in primary school in 2009 was 83.2% though it declined to 78.5% in 2014.19 220. Government has scaled up its efforts to increase the enrolment and retention of children and young persons in school. The innovation of mobile schools to cater to the needs of pastoralist communities is a good innovation in extending flexible education services to communities. The guarantee for free and compulsory primary education until the age of 14 has been impactful on children in Kenya and in the CRM public hearings, communities were vocal in their gratitude for the education bursaries from county governments and also the private sector that allow more children and young persons to access the education system. In 2016/17 financial year for example, government disbursed KShs 0.4 billion for the Presidential Secondary School Bursary Scheme. 221. In 2008, free education was provided in public day secondary schools in order to facilitate a higher transition of school children from primary to secondary school level. The ratio of girls to boys in secondary education increased from 0.86 in 2011 to 0.89 in 2013 and at tertiary level from 0.63 in 2000 to 0.81 in 2013. 19 Progress in Achievement of MDGs in Kenya, Final status report 2016 | 117 |