The commissioning of the school bus has sparked renewed calls for academic improvement at Marungu Mixed Day Secondary School. Education stakeholders on Monday challenged students, parents and teachers at Marungu Mixed Day Secondary School to focus on academic improvement following the commissioning of a Sh11.4 million school bus funded through the Voi NG-CDF.
Major Bus Commissioned at Marungu Secondary
During the handover ceremony in Voi Sub-County, speakers warned learners against excessive celebrations over the new bus, cautioning that the investment would only be meaningful if it translated into improved discipline and academic performance.
Officials noted that the school has posted poor results in recent years but expressed optimism that the new asset would help reverse the trend.
Voi Member of Parliament Eng. Hamisi Abdi Chome, who presided over the handover, described the bus as a major boost to learning and school development in the constituency. He said the investment demonstrates his commitment to education and the future of young people.
“This bus is meant to support learning and expand opportunities for our students. It should be used to enhance exposure through academic tours and competitions, not as a symbol of celebration,” said Chome, assuring residents of continued support for education infrastructure and learning resources across the constituency.
The MP disclosed that in 2025, Marungu Mixed Day Secondary School ranked 19th out of 29 schools in Voi Sub-County, recording a mean score of 2.809. He said the bus should serve as a motivator to improve results.
“I expect this bus to catalyse better performance. We will monitor the school’s progress closely before awarding another project,” Chome said.
Bus Expected to Improve Performance and Enrollment
Marungu Mixed Day Secondary School Principal Jesse Macharia welcomed the bus, terming it a solution to a long-standing transport challenge that had hindered learner participation in academic and co-curricular activities.
“This school was started by the community in 2008 with a population of about 15 to 20 students. Today we have 218 learners, and receiving this bus marks a major milestone in our growth,” Macharia said.
He thanked the MP and the government for considering the school, saying the support would go a long way in improving performance.
Macharia said the bus would ease movement for learners and teachers, especially during academic tours and co-curricular engagements.
“Improved transport will motivate both learners and teachers, which will reflect in our results,” he said, pledging that the school would use and maintain the bus responsibly.
“We will ensure this asset is protected and utilised strictly for the benefit of learners,” he added.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Sub-County Director for Voi, Mwanamisi Mwaleso, thanked the MP for supporting schools in the area, saying that the provision of transport would improve the efficiency of teaching and supervision.
“This bus will enhance teachers’ efficiency by improving access to learners during academic and co-curricular activities. Reliable transport supports effective supervision, curriculum delivery and mentorship,” said Mwaleso.
She added that improved mobility contributes to better discipline and academic performance.
Mwaleso urged parents to increase enrollment at the school, assuring them that staffing would be addressed. “If parents ensure the school has more students, we will ensure there are enough teachers,” she said.
She also urged students to work hard, noting that every child has the potential to achieve their aspirations.
The director stated that stakeholders must remain united to ensure discipline among learners for better performance.
Voi Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Mugo raised concerns over low student enrollment, observing that the event attracted more parents than learners.
He noted that the school has only about 50 Grade 10 students despite neighbouring primary schools recording higher numbers.
“We must ask ourselves why learners are not transitioning to this school,” said Mugo. He added that “Chiefs and village elders must ensure that all school-age children are in school.”
The DCC warned that no student should be found selling goods or loitering on roads, and asked parents to monitor their children and ensure they are in school.
“Chiefs and assistant chiefs will be held responsible if children who are supposed to be in school are found out of school,” Mugo said.
He cautioned against the misuse of the bus, stressing that public resources must serve their intended purpose.
Sub-County Director of Education for Voi, Omar Mokaya, directed the school administration to establish a separate account for the bus’s maintenance, noting that the bus must have its own account and that parents should support the initiative.
Mokaya said the bus would reduce learner absenteeism and ease participation in academic tours, sports and inter-school activities.
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The bus now stands as a symbol of accountability and academic expectation at Marungu Secondary School.
Meanwhile, Chome disclosed that his office disbursed Sh66 million in bursaries to students from Voi Constituency through the NG-CDF program last Friday.
By Michael Oduor
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