Why Government Will Close Some Schools

The government has warned that secondary schools failing to admit learners into Grade 10 risk being shut down following rising complaints of low enrolment across the country.

Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Tuesday, January 20, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the Ministry of Education would not keep institutions open where there is no student demand, stressing that the placement system is driven by learners’ choices.

Ogamba explained that the ministry does not assign learners to schools but only facilitates placement based on students’ preferences.

“Some schools are saying they have not received a single applicant. The policy is that students choose schools; the ministry does not choose schools for students,” he said.

“If no student has chosen your school, what can the ministry do? There are things we must do differently. Some schools will have to be closed.”

Plan to Devolve High-Demand Schools

The Cabinet Secretary revealed that the government plans to devolve high-demand institutions, including national schools, to county governments in a bid to address placement challenges and promote equity in access to quality education.

He noted that the current system has resulted in intense competition for a small number of elite schools, leaving many institutions underutilised.

“Fifty thousand students want to join a school that can only admit 700 learners,” Ogamba observed.

“What is so difficult about reproducing schools of this nature in our wards so that every ward has a school with the facilities and standards of the institutions everyone wants to attend? We will ensure there are super schools in every ward.”

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Reducing Congestion and Long-Distance Travel

According to Ogamba, devolving top-performing schools will ease congestion in national schools, reduce long-distance travel for learners, and prevent students from being posted to schools far from their homes.

He said the programme would be rolled out gradually, starting with counties that recorded the highest demand for national school placements.

While some high-performing schools will be managed by counties, the CS assured the public that national standards would be preserved.

“Learning outcomes and quality will be safeguarded through proper oversight and adequate resource allocation,” he said.

Tension as Schools Record Low Turnout

The remarks come amid growing anxiety among school heads, particularly in institutions that have recorded low or no student turnout, with some campuses remaining largely deserted.

School administrators have raised concerns over possible closures, staff redeployment, and reduced funding if enrolment numbers do not improve.

However, they defended the affected schools, especially those in rural areas, arguing that the curriculum is uniform nationwide and that school choice is often influenced by perception rather than actual quality.

Also Read: An Education System That Manufactures Failure: A National Indictment of KCSE Outcomes

Push for 100 % Transition

Ogamba reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving a 100 per cent transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

He said the ministry is supporting door-to-door campaigns to encourage learners to report to school before the admission deadline on Wednesday, January 21.

“The current admission rate stands at about 75 per cent, but we are confident it will rise to over 90 per cent before the timeline lapses,” he said.

The CS added that the government is addressing barriers to enrolment, including school fees, uniforms, and other related costs, to ensure no learner is left behind.

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