The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education Amb. (Prof.) Julius Bitok, together with Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang, on Friday presided over the commissioning of a new administration block and modern library at Chewoyet Senior Secondary School in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
The newly completed facilities are expected to significantly enhance the learning environment at the national school by improving administrative efficiency and expanding access to educational resources for both students and teachers.
The administration block was funded by the national government through Technical and Infrastructure Grants (TIGs) under the Ministry of Education. The grants, often referred to as infrastructure grants, are disbursed to secondary schools to support construction of classrooms, laboratories and other learning facilities in order to support the government’s 100 per cent transition policy from primary to secondary school.
The commissioning ceremony attracted several leaders from both the national and county governments, including West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, Woman Representative Rael Kasiwai, Senator Julius Murgor and County Commissioner David Saruni. Also, present were members of the school’s Board of Management, alumni, teachers, parents and students.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Bitok commended Chewoyet Senior Secondary School for its long-standing reputation as one of Kenya’s historic national schools with a strong record of academic excellence and leadership development.
Established in 1956, the school has produced a number of prominent leaders in the country, including Governor Simon Kachapin and Public Works PS Joel Arumonyang, among many other distinguished alumni.
Bitok said the institution has consistently played a key role in nurturing leaders and professionals by providing students with a strong academic foundation and a conducive learning environment.
“Chewoyet has built a proud legacy over the years as a centre of excellence. Many leaders who have contributed to the development of this country passed through this institution,” said Bitok.
He emphasized that the government continues to invest heavily in education as part of its broader strategy to drive economic transformation and national development.
According to the PS, the education sector currently receives more than Sh700 billion annually, making it the largest budget allocation in Kenya’s history.
He further revealed that the government has recruited about 100,000 teachers over the past three years in an effort to improve teacher-student ratios and enhance the quality of education in public schools.
In addition, the government has constructed more than 23,000 classrooms across the country while about 1,600 science laboratories are currently under construction to strengthen the teaching of science subjects.
Bitok also noted that ongoing reforms under the Competency-Based Education system are expected to equip learners with practical skills, creativity and critical thinking needed to support Kenya’s ambition of becoming a globally competitive economy.
The PS also announced plans by the government to expand Chewoyet Senior Secondary School in order to accommodate more learners seeking admission to the national school.
Currently hosting about 1,500 students, the institution is expected to increase its capacity to about 3,000 students through the construction of additional classrooms, laboratories and dormitories.
He said the expansion will provide more opportunities for students from across the country to access quality education in top-performing national schools.
At the same time, Bitok clarified that the government does not discriminate against candidates registering for national examinations based on age.
He explained that students above the age of 19 years will still be allowed to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations as long as schools provide the necessary documentation to the Kenya National Examinations Council.
Public Works PS Joel Arumonyang, who also serves as the Chairperson of the school’s Board of Management and is an alumnus of Chewoyet Senior Secondary School, expressed pride in the institution’s growth and achievements.
He thanked the national government, the school’s board, parents and local leaders for supporting the construction of the modern library and for their continued commitment to improving infrastructure at the school.
Arumonyang noted that Chewoyet remains one of Kenya’s historic learning institutions that has produced influential leaders and professionals across various sectors.
He pledged continued collaboration with leaders, alumni and development partners to further strengthen the institution and elevate it to even greater levels of academic excellence.
Chief Principal Stephen Akuto said the modern library represents an important milestone in the school’s development and will greatly support academic performance by providing students with improved access to learning materials and study spaces.
He appealed to both the national and county governments to support the planned expansion of the school through additional funding for construction of dormitories, classrooms and other essential facilities.
Leaders attending the event also called on political office holders to fast-track bursary allocations to ensure students from vulnerable families can continue with their studies without interruptions due to lack of school fees.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with a tree planting session led by the Principal Secretaries and other leaders to commemorate the milestone and promote environmental conservation at the school.
By Parklea Ivor and Anthony Melly
