They were called the Pentagon Group: the learning institutions were limited to children from non-African families during and after colonial days. They were the top-tier in primary schools before the new CBE system.
To avoid overcrowding in the so-called elite schools mainly erected in former White Highlands, children from poor families were not allowed to mix with those from the prestigious and high class of the Whites including Asians.
This is why the school fees bar was raised above the reach of an ordinary African especially those who were employed as farm hands.
It was only for a few privileged and prominent Kenyans whose children could be admitted to the schools that offered fringe benefits ranging from high security and special diets. The admission was, however, hinged on strict scrutiny and the sworn affidavits to maintain the traditions of the schools.
These were the Kitale School, Nairobi School, Nyeri Complex, Mollo Academy and the Eldoret-based Hill School, all specializing in primary education.
From time to time with changes of management and ownership, the Ministry of Education MoE has allowed the learning institutions to run as public institutions and continue to maintain their traditional statuses.
ALSO READ;
Bomet teachers demand recognition of overlooked hardship zones
What what were once respected as the elite schools are sliding into a pale of shadows of themselves with a new wave of political patronage taking the toll. Children are not dropped to and collected from school, there’s no special coaching and free learning materials as well as special group classes as was the cases before.
Under the eyes of the TSC, teachers are selectively transferred to these schools irrespective of the staff balancing under the new CBE system.
For example, Kitale School currently charging Ksh 53,000 for borders and Ksh 32,000 day scholars in the primary section is facing an imbalance of staffing with a significant small number for teachers for humanity subjects.
Even after splitting of the school for the senior Kitale Girls’ School, all the spots are being directed to Kitale School that incorporated into the Comprehensive learning with the Junior Secondary School section headed by the new principal George Polo Achieng.
The new head was transferred from the equally elite Xaverian primary school in Kisumu county at the beginning of the this year following a series complaints Kitale School of having lost its glory in the performance of both academics and co- curriculum activities under the former school headteacher David Luganda.
The Kitale School Alumini Association through spokesperson Peter Wabuge had expressed concern that the institution had failed to cut above the discipline in ordinary primary schools due to poor picking of administrators and asked that the group be involved in the running affairs of the school.
Bamachoge-Borabu MP fights off critics, vows to continue investing in educational projects
The Kitale ACK Bishop Emmanuel Chemengich, the sponsor of the school, however, took a neutral stand in the saga questioned why the transfer matter was being raised when the Mr Achieng was being posted to the school whereas there were other undertakings that had passed without much ado.
And with only a week to the opening of 2026 the Second Term, the reality of the imbalance of the teaching staff is coming to the fore with the Trans Nzoia Kuppet branch leadership raising an alarm over disjointed teaching team at Kitale School.
Branch chairman Paul Weyama says the school is lacking teachers for the STEM subjects, a situation that was created by the recent of appointments by the TSC and postings supervised by politicians.
” While we accept teachers to be employed, there should be the rationale for posting for their specialized subjects for effective results” , he said adding that TSC should carry out a thorough balancing ot teachers in the whole county with regard for their specialities.
By Abisai Amugune
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
