A senior Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) official in Bungoma County has attributed the increasing cases of student unrest in major secondary schools to over-enrolment under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) Grade 10 transition.
Speaking on the matter, KUPPET Bungoma vice chairperson Busolo Lusweti argued that the concentration of large numbers of learners in a few highly sought-after schools has strained available resources and contributed to growing dissatisfaction among students.
According to Lusweti, some Category One (C1) schools have admitted up to 1,000 Grade 10 learners, while many Category Four (C4) schools in Bungoma have enrolled as few as 15 students.
He noted that more than 100 C4 schools in the county currently have fewer than 50 Grade 10 learners, highlighting a significant imbalance in student distribution.
He further observed that several Category Two (C2) and Category One schools have enrolled more than 500 Grade 10 students, a sharp increase compared to the former form one intake under the 8-4-4 system.
Reports from Bungoma indicate that some schools have received applications far beyond their official capacities following the Grade 10 placement process.
Lusweti called on the Ministry of Education to introduce a cap of 500 learners per Grade 10 cohort in every school, arguing that such a move would promote equitable distribution of students and ease pressure on infrastructure, teaching staff, dormitories, dining facilities and other essential resources.
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“Grade 10 enrolment should be capped at a maximum of 500 learners in any school. This will reduce competition for limited resources and help ensure quality education,” he said.
The union official also criticized what he described as a growing race for government capitation funds, claiming that some institutions have prioritized increasing enrolment numbers without sufficient vetting and planning.
He linked the trend to the recent wave of student unrest witnessed across the country, asserting that most strikes have occurred in heavily populated C1 and C2 schools.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate over the implementation of Grade 10 placement under CBE with education stakeholders raising concerns about disparities in enrolment, resource allocation and access to quality education.
KUPPET officials in Bungoma have previously expressed concerns over challenges surrounding the Grade 10 transition and school placement process.
Education stakeholders are now urging the government to review placement policies and strengthen support for under-enrolled schools to ensure a more balanced and sustainable secondary education system.
By Wekesa Nyongesa
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