GOVT MULLS SHUTTING DOWN SCHOOLS WITH FEWER THAN 150 STUDENTS

The government is considering shutting down over 3,000 public secondary schools across Kenya that have fewer than 150 students. Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Bitok confirmed that the Ministry of Education will engage stakeholders to determine the future of these under enrolled institutions.

The Ministry says the move is aimed at addressing sustainability concerns amid limited resources and an uneven teacher distribution. Among the proposed solutions are school mergers and repurposing to improve operational efficiency and learning outcomes.

To support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC – Mtaala wa Umahiri), the government is also focusing on expanding infrastructure. This includes building classrooms, dormitories, laboratories, and sanitation facilities. Over 76,000 teachers have already been deployed nationwide, with plans to recruit 24,000 more in the current financial year.

Bitok emphasized that resource allocation will prioritize underserved regions such as informal settlements and pastoralist areas. He also called for increased bursary support for needy learners, noting that current funding is not sufficient to meet demand.

The consultations and planned reforms aim to ensure a more equitable and efficient education system under the CBC.