As the country prepares for its highest form one admission, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has issued a tough directive to all high schools. Speaking on May 4, 2022, Magoha stated that no school should turn away a student due to lack of infrastructure.
Magoha's comments come amidst concerns from headteachers about limited space in their institutions, particularly in boarding schools. However, the CS was resolute in his directive, emphasizing that this is his final year at the helm of the ministry and he is determined to achieve the 100% transition rate.
"The child is a Government child. Who are you to start saying that there is no space in the school? If there is no space, do you think we are unable to create space," Magoha stated.
Magoha also directed that students from poor backgrounds should not be turned away for reporting without school uniforms. This directive has forced some schools to get creative in ensuring that all students get a bed and a desk in the classroom.
Kenya High School, for instance, added a new stream after receiving a high number of students during admission. Some institutions like Kisumu Girls High School were forced to convert their newly built Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) classrooms to serve as dormitories.
Form one admission ends on May 10, 2022, with the Ministry of Education hoping to enroll more than a million students. The academic year has been condensed into just six months, with the normal school calendar set to resume in January 2023.
