The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, expanding infrastructure in schools and enhancing student welfare as part of ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Speaking during the Kenya High School thanksgiving ceremony for the Class of 2025 in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, lauded the school for its exemplary academic performance, discipline, and all-round excellence, describing it as one of the finest institutions in the country.
Prof. Bitok congratulated the graduating class for posting outstanding results and maintaining the school’s reputation as a Centre of excellence.
“Kenya High is the place to be. Everybody wanted to come here. When we transitioned from Grade Nine to Grade 10, about 38,000 students selected this school as their first choice, yet there were only 600 available places,” he said.
He attributed the school’s success not only to academic achievement but also to its strong co-curricular programmes, noting that modern education places equal emphasis on talent development.
“As we focus on our education system, we are not only concentrating on academics. We understand that co-curricular activities are central to Competency-Based Education. Whether it is music, sports, arts, or other talents, they are all important in nurturing well-rounded learners,” he added.
The PS commended the school’s Board of Management, administration, teachers, parents, and students for their collective effort in maintaining high standards and producing graduates capable of contributing positively to society.
Addressing recent incidents of unrest and fires reported in some schools across the country, Prof. Bitok assured parents and stakeholders that the Ministry of Education was taking decisive measures to ensure learning continues uninterrupted.
“We are doing everything possible to contain the wave of fires around the country. We are encouraging dialogue, strengthening student leadership structures, guidance and counselling programmes, and engagement between learners and school administrations,” he said.
He emphasized that disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than destruction of school property.
“Let us not resort to disturbing or burning our schools. Let us engage administrators, teachers, and education officers. The purpose of schools is to ensure learners acquire knowledge in a safe environment,” he stated.
According to the PS, approximately 99.2 per cent of schools remain stable and operational despite isolated incidents of unrest.
He noted that the Ministry had directed schools to avoid activities likely to create tension among learners and was handling cases individually to safeguard the academic calendar.
To further improve safety, Prof. Bitok announced a nationwide inspection of boarding facilities across secondary schools.
“We have ordered an inspection of all boarding facilities within the next ten days so that we can establish their status and address any emerging challenges. We must ensure our learners are safe,” he said.
The PS also highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize education management through the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), a platform designed to integrate information from basic education to higher learning institutions.
“KEMIS will become a one-stop platform for the entire education sector. With the click of a button, one will be able to verify a learner’s academic history, monitor enrolment, and access real-time data across institutions,” he explained.
He revealed that more than 8,000 of the country’s 9,500 secondary schools had already been integrated into the system, with universities and education agencies expected to join in the coming months.
On infrastructure development, Prof. Bitok pledged government support for the expansion of Kenya High School to accommodate growing demand for admission.
“The current government policy is that high-performing schools such as Kenya High will be expanded. We are ready to invest more resources in classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories so that more students can access quality education,” he said.
The PS further announced a personal contribution of Sh200,000 towards the school’s upcoming celebrations and pledged to relay an invitation from the school to President William Ruto to visit the institution.
“I will take the invitation to the President and request him to visit this great school,” he said amid applause from students and guests.
Dagoretti North Member of Parliament, Beatrice Elachi, praised Kenya High School for its role in shaping young women into responsible leaders and role models.
She appealed to the Ministry of Education to support the institution’s infrastructure development agenda, particularly the construction of additional hostels and classrooms.
“All we are requesting in a humble way is support to build four more hostels and additional classrooms because the school continues to admit many students and existing facilities are under pressure,” said Elachi.
The legislator commended the students for their discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence, urging them to continue serving as ambassadors of integrity both in school and at home.
“You have proved to be role models not only here but also in your families and communities. Continue pursuing your dreams and remain resilient,” she advised.
The thanksgiving ceremony brought together education officials, board members, teachers, parents, alumni, and students to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 and reflect on the school’s contribution to national development.
Founded in 1910, Kenya High School remains one of Kenya’s premier national girls’ schools, consistently recording excellent academic results while nurturing leadership, talent, and character among learners.
by Sallo Gobana and Anita Kariuki
