Kamwangi, Kaibere, Miteero, and Mbichi secondary schools in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, have been shut down by the Ministry of Education (MoE), citing dwindling student numbers that have rendered the institutions unsustainable. The affected learners have been transferred to nearby schools to continue their studies.
Area MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia confirmed the closures, warning that more schools in the constituency face a similar risk due to low enrolment. He noted that the cost of running institutions with fewer than 20 learners had become unbearable for both parents and the government, with teachers often instructing classes of only two or three students across all subjects.
“You find that a school has about 20 learners, meaning that each class has about two students who have to be taught all subjects by all teachers. This is too costly and unsustainable; that’s why learners in such schools have been taken to other nearby schools where they are continuing with their learning,” Kururia said.
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Kururia made the remarks while disbursing bursary cheques worth KSh29.6 million to over 4,000 learners in 25 day schools. Each student received KSh7,000 to ease the burden of school fees. He emphasized that the transfers ensured uninterrupted learning for affected students, but expressed concern over the declining population of school-going children.
The MP attributed the trend to changing family dynamics, saying many young couples are opting to raise only one child, while others have neglected parental responsibilities. He called for interdepartmental intervention and urged school boards to investigate the root causes of the crisis. “We have schools with less than 100 learners, and unless stakeholders act, more closures are inevitable,” he cautioned.
Kururia assured parents that the Gatundu North Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) has established measures to cushion families. He announced that all day secondary school students will pay Sh1,500 per term, a move aimed at reducing financial strain. “We intend to eventually make learning free in Gatundu North. As long as I am MP, NGCDF will shoulder the burden of facilitating education,” he said.
Parents echoed the lawmaker’s sentiments, acknowledging that declining birth rates are contributing to the crisis. Joseph Kimani, a parent, lamented that many youths are avoiding marriage or choosing to raise only one child, a trend that threatens the survival of schools.
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Others praised the bursary programme, saying it has eased the pressure of high living costs. “Families are struggling to put food on the table, let alone pay school fees. We are grateful for the support we are receiving,” said Nancy Njambi, a parent.
Education stakeholders now face the challenge of balancing resource allocation with declining enrolment, as Gatundu North grapples with the reality of shrinking student populations and the closure of institutions once central to community life.
By John Kamau
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