Students Scramble for Kenya’s Dream National Schools
In a fervent pursuit of academic excellence, students and parents across Kenya are currently navigating the high-stakes landscape of securing coveted spots in the country’s prestigious national schools.
The scramble for these sought-after institutions has intensified, creating a competitive atmosphere as learners and their families aim to fulfill their educational aspirations.
Kenya’s national schools, renowned for their academic rigor and notable alumni, have long been the preferred choice for those seeking a top-tier education.
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The demand for admission into these institutions has reached unprecedented levels, reflecting the collective ambition for quality education and the potential opportunities that follow.
With a limited number of slots available in these dream institutions, the selection criteria have become increasingly stringent. Academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and even geographical considerations all play a role in determining who secures a spot in these esteemed institutions.
Kabianga High School, Nanyuki, Pangani Girls, and Kapsabet Boys emerged as the most preferred secondary institutions by 2023 KCPE candidates, cementing their position as the most popular schools in prior years.
Even still, the placement exercise shattered the hopes of millions of students who wanted admission to national schools, as these institutions admitted only 42,927 students in this year’s placement cycle.
Another 274,746 students will be admitted to extra-county schools, 288,201 to county schools, and 2,225 to special needs schools.
The vast majority of Form One students, approximately 792,230, will attend sub-county schools.
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As the 8-4-4 system in primary schools ends, this will be the final cohort of Form One students to be admitted to secondary schools.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced Wednesday that Form One students will begin reporting to their respective institutions on January 15. He gave a speech at Lenana School during the announcement of Form One placement results.
The selection, however, has destroyed the aspirations of millions of students who hoped to get admission to top national schools.
However, reality revealed a bleak image for 2023 KCPE applicants, who will have to contend with insufficient space in their respective secondary schools.
According to data from the Education Ministry, the top ten selected national schools were chosen by a total of 1.2 million candidates.
Kabianga Boys, a national school with a capacity of only 672 students, was overwhelmed by a staggering 186,357 student selection, a ratio of roughly 280 applicants for every single position.
Kabianga was chosen by 153,074 learners hoping to join the school last year.
Nanyuki High School, which has a capacity of 480 students, received 158,741 applications, while Pangani Girls received 144,542 applications for its 384 spots.
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Nanyuki High School received 148,827 applications last year, while Pangani Girls received 119,265 applications.
Kapsabet Boys, the fourth most popular secondary school, with a capacity of 432 students but received 143,723 applications.
Despite the fact that there were only 384 available spots, Alliance Girls received 135,033 applications.
Maseno School, which has a capacity of 672 students, was the sixth most sought after with 123,777 applicants.
Nakuru High School, Butere Girls High School, Mangu High School, and Alliance were all among the top ten most sought-after schools, with over 100,000 applicants.
Machogu stated that the selection was based on merit, choice, equity, affirmative action, and space availability. However, education officials are baffled by the 28,052 candidates who did not choose which schools they wanted to attend in various categories.
Some 222 candidates skipped national schools, 4,839 did not apply for extra-county schools, 8,716 did not apply for county schools, and 14,277 did not apply for sub-county schools.
Candidates have been assigned to public sub-county secondary schools near their previous elementary schools, according to the CS.
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Candidates who took the KCPE exams from primary schools within refugee camps were also placed, according to the CS.
During the placement process, it was discovered that seven counties are experiencing a shortfall of secondary school capacity to accept the 2023 candidates.
Nairobi, Kwale, Narok, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kajiado, and Isiolo are among the counties affected, with a total of 62,007 Form One students affected.
To accommodate the students, the ministry promised that they would be admitted to schools in neighboring counties.
To alleviate Nairobi’s acute shortage, the government has begun construction on 3,500 classrooms. Mchogu implored the stakeholders in the affected regions to mobilize resources to address the inadequacy as soon as possible in preparation for the rollout of senior school in January 2026.
He informed all candidates who scored 400 or higher marks that they would actively secure placement in either national or extra-county schools of their choice.
He appreciated the fact that the selection and placement exercise was guided by the principles of merit, choice, equity, affirmative action, and availability of space.
The Education Ministry reported that it had put 130 students in national schools and 167 in extra-county schools through affirmative action.
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Machogu also cautioned administrators not to raise school fees for new students, urging that boarding secondary school fees remain fixed.
“I wish to state that the boarding fees charged in public secondary schools will remain unchanged in 2024,” the secretary of state said.
Machogu stated that the increase in fees risks making education a privilege for the wealthy, citing Article 53 of the Constitution, which specifies that basic education is free and compulsory.
“Education should be accessible to us all, including the children who come from poor backgrounds,” he said.
According to the school fee guidelines, form one students at national schools need to pay Sh53,554, while students in extra-county and county schools shall pay Sh40,535.
At the same time, Machogu urged schools not to prescribe or compel parents to purchase school uniforms from exclusive dealers, instead allowing parents to purchase school uniforms from any distributor of their choice.
He reminded school principals that instead of imposing certain providers, they should merely submit requirements.
ALSO READ:
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- How to Access and Download Form One Placement Letter, 2024
- 52,000 Form One Students to Get Scholarships, Says CS Machogu
Students Scramble for Kenya’s Dream National Schools
