Kuppet officials reject state plan to merge schools with low enrolment

Officials of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers have rejected the government’s proposal to merge secondary schools with low student enrolment.

Narok branch officials have termed the move ill-advised and detrimental to access to education.

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In a statement responding to the Ministry of Education, Kuppet executive secretary for Narok branch Saruni Tasur said the plan to merge schools on the basis of low enrolment fails to consider the unique challenges facing arid and semi-arid regions.

He said many of the affected institutions were established specifically to improve access to education for learners in remote and marginalised areas, where distance to school remains a major barrier.

The unionist said education is a fundamental function of the national government which should guarantee access to every Kenyan child.

He said closing or merging schools will only widen inequalities by forcing learners to travel longer distances, potentially increasing dropout rates and undermining gains made in expanding secondary education.

Tasur described the proposal as “not just appalling but unacceptable,” adding that it reflects a lack of comprehensive planning.

Instead of shutting down or merging schools, the government should formulate sound policies that ensure equitable distribution of learners, teachers, and infrastructure across all institutions, he said.

He spoke at Shartuka Girls Secondary School in Transmara West subcounty.

Tasur proposed that number of streams per school category be capped to balance enrolment nationwide.

Under the proposal, national schools would host up to eight streams per class, extra-county schools six, county schools four and sub-county schools two, with each classroom accommodating not more than 45 learners.

Tasur argued that such a model would promote fairness, enhance participation in co-curricular activities, curb indiscipline and eliminate unhealthy competition for limited admission slots in a few top schools.

“As Kuppet, we will not allow closure of any school,” Tasur said.

He called on the government to engage stakeholders and communities before implementing reforms that could have far-reaching consequences for learners.

The debate follows recent remarks by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok who said the ministry was considering merging secondary schools with low or zero enrolment as part of broader reforms in the education sector.

Speaking at a public event last Saturday, Bitok said some institutions are operating far below capacity, making it difficult to justify continued allocation of teachers and capitation funds.

He explained that merging such schools would allow the government to optimise resources and convert underutilised facilities into more useful public institutions, while expanding high-enrolment schools through construction of additional classrooms and dormitories.