Senior boarding schools in Murang’a County have recorded a sharp increase in the number of Grade 10 learners, while senior day schools continue to struggle with low admissions.
According to the County Director of Education, Phillip Wambua, by January 22, a total of 31,444 Grade 10 students had been enrolled in various senior schools across the county. This figure is notably higher than the 25,037 candidates who sat for the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) in Murang’a County last year.
Speaking to KNA on Friday, Wambua explained that the higher enrollment numbers are largely due to learners joining Murang’a C1 and C2 senior schools from other counties.
“Murang’a has received learners from neighboring counties and even farther regions. This has made enrollment in senior schools exceed 100 percent,” said Wambua.
Data from the education office shows that top boarding schools recorded impressive admissions. Murang’a High School enrolled about 1,100 Grade 10 students, while Mugoiri Girls High School admitted 729 learners. Kamahuha Girls and Mumbi Girls High Schools, under the C2 category, each enrolled over 700 students, and Njiiri School, a C1 school, admitted more than 700 learners.
The trend, however, has left many senior day schools struggling to attract learners, with some institutions recording alarmingly low numbers, raising concerns among education stakeholders. According to the data, six day schools—including Koimbi Mixed, Mweru, Yamugwe, Mathereini, Wahundura Mixed, and Gacharaigu—had not enrolled any student by January 22. More than 20 day schools had enrolled fewer than 10 learners.
Wambua acknowledged the imbalance and said the Ministry of Education officers, together with county education stakeholders, are closely monitoring the situation.
“We are concerned that a number of day senior schools are not receiving enough learners. This affects not only the schools but also the goal of ensuring equal access to education across the county,” he said.
He further revealed that a number of students who sat for the KJSEA examination in Murang’a County are yet to report to senior schools. Financial constraints, lack of information on placement, and a preference for alternative training paths could be contributing to the delay.
To address the situation, Wambua announced that education stakeholders will begin a mop-up exercise starting Monday. The exercise will involve school heads, local administrators, teachers, and community leaders, who will work together to trace learners who have not reported to senior schools.
“The aim is to ensure that every learner who completed junior secondary education transitions to the next level, whether in senior secondary schools or vocational training centres,” he added.
Wambua continued, “Learners who may not wish to join senior schools will be guided toward vocational and technical training institutions, where they can acquire practical skills aligned with their interests and abilities.”
He stressed that no learner should be left behind under the new education system and urged parents and guardians to cooperate with education officers during the mop-up exercise.
By Bernard Munyao
