Concern as schools in Migori, Kisii record low turnout for Grade 10 learners

Principals of secondary schools in Kisii and Migori counties have expressed concern over the low turnout of Grade 10 learners, with some institutions recording admissions as low as 40 per cent by the third day of reporting.

Speaking separately in their respective schools, head teachers, including officials from the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), noted that reporting had been generally slow compared to previous admission cycles under the former education system.

Kanga High School Chief Principal Dr. Reuben Kodiango said his institution had only managed to admit about half of the targeted 730 learners by the third day, describing the turnout as lower than expected.

Dr. Kodiango, who also serves as the KESSHA Chairman in Rongo Sub-County, said the trend was similar in many schools across the region, prompting school heads to consult and compare notes in search of lasting solutions.

“Reporting was much faster under the previous system. This time, we are appealing to parents to exercise due diligence before bringing learners to school,” said Kodiango.

He explained that some parents had initiated transfer requests for their children but failed to confirm whether the transfers had been approved, resulting in learners reporting to institutions where they were no longer placed.

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The Chief Principal cited cases where four students reported to Kanga High School with admission letters, only to later discover that their transfer requests to other schools had already been approved.

He said the Ministry of Education later intervened and successfully placed the learners in their preferred schools.

Dr. Kodiango further appealed to bursary custodians, including the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), to support learners from needy backgrounds.

“Some learners are reporting without school fees or personal effects. Support from bursary schemes will go a long way in ensuring smooth transition and retention,” he said.

At Nduru Boys High School in Kisii County, Deputy Principal Isaac Miruka said only about 40 per cent of the expected 360 Grade 10 learners had reported.

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Miruka urged parents to present learners for admission, noting that schools were making efforts to ease the financial burden on families. He added that some parents had been allowed to pay part of the school fees in kind.

Similarly, the Deputy Principal of St. Joseph’s Nyabigena Boys High School, Fred Ocharo, said only 153 learners had reported out of the expected 422 since admissions began on Monday.

Ocharo noted that the school had already received textbooks for five subjects and was awaiting delivery of the remaining learning materials for the 23 subjects offered under the three pathways of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

Despite the low turnout, Ocharo assured that the institution was fully prepared to receive the Grade 10 learners.

“As a school, we are well prepared. We have adequate infrastructure, and our teachers have already been retooled on the CBE curriculum,” he said.

By Our reporter