The Chairperson of the Busia County Education Board, Prof. Okumu Bigambo, has raised concerns over the recent elevation of several secondary schools to national status, calling the move “cosmetic and blindfolding” if not accompanied by tangible improvements in infrastructure, funding, and staffing.
In an exclusive interview with Education News, Prof. Bigambo questioned the effectiveness of the reclassification, noting that many of the upgraded schools continue to face major challenges.
“These same schools, like many others across the country, are grappling with glaring infrastructural deficits, insufficient government capitation, and an acute shortage of qualified teachers,” he said. “Labeling them ‘national’ schools without addressing these issues is a disservice to learners and educators alike.”
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He called on the government to adopt a more equitable approach to education investment.
“Let the government invest in all schools equally, because every Kenyan child regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background deserves quality education,” he urged.
His remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the criteria and readiness of schools being elevated to national status. While the designation is often seen as a mark of prestige, education stakeholders have questioned whether it is being backed by adequate resources and policy support.
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As the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) continues to reshape the country’s education landscape, Prof. Bigambo emphasized the importance of grounding reforms in fairness and real investment especially in underserved counties like Busia.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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