Several schools in Nakuru East are decrying low form one turnout, noting that insecurity within the area has compounded the low head count of students in schools.

A spot check by Mtaa Wangu revealed that some schools are struggling to admit students. Consequently, their numbers dwindle each year.

Teachers who sought anonymity painted the devastating picture of their schools.

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The situation at Kivumbini Secondary school for example is a sorry state, where class rooms are empty with no single student reporting for form one.

A teacher at the school James*, says they received 10 allocations through the Ministry of Education’s Nemis system. However, none has reported yet.

No activity at Kivumbini secondary school during placement of form one students on January 16, 2024.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“If allocation through the system is low, we rely on students from neighbouring primary schools to come and join our school. However, because of heavy gang activities around this area, parents are sceptical about their children enrolling in schools within the slum surrounding. This negatively impacts our school population,” they lamented.

The teachers have been forced to use institutions like the chief’s office, area MCA’s office, Wazee wa Nyumba kumi and word of mouth to attract students to the school.

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“Years back, Kivumbini secondary school used to be a three-stream school. From 2021 it fell back to a two stream and currently a single stream day school. The student’s population has overtime reduced from 500 to the current 94,” they said.

As of 2024, form two students are 18, form three 30 and 46 form four students.

Additionally, the teacher notes that, with a continuous downward curve on admissions, they lose teachers to transfers and are also forced to retrench some of their support staff.

“Over five teachers were recalled and transferred to other schools due to our low student population. The annual capitation coming in through the government has also been slashed therefore we cannot afford to have all support staff needed at school. Teachers at times go an extra mile to ensure things run smoothly here,” he reveals.

Echoing his sentiments is a teacher from Nakuru Central Secondary school *Martin, who says the school placement by the ministry is not honoured by parents since they are scared of the children’s safety.

“We got 56 placements from the ministry and so far less than 20 have reported. We are a day school in Nakuru Town East. However, we got students placed here from Nakuru North including areas of Bahati and other sub-counties. It is hard for the student to come and school here, factoring in the issue of insecurity experienced here,” he says.

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A senior teacher at Kimathi secondary school also discloses that they received five students through the system. What she says is a low allocation compared to what the school can accommodate.

The four students who reported at Kimathi secondary school on January 16, 2024.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

"We are in a saddening state. Two of the five students allocated here are from Mombasa. This being a day school we do not expect them to report here. So far, we have received two boys and two girls, from neighbouring primary school who sought placement here through the school head,” she explains.

The teacher notes that an additional 15 students have sought placement and hope they will report in due course.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Why form one students shy away from schools in Nakuru slums

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