Three schools have so far been shut down this term for lack of students, with a warning that more could be closed if the trend persists.
County Director of Education Khalif Hassan Isaack said the teachers and school administrators had been withdrawn following the closure of the institutions.
“We have literally closed Munyange Secondary School and removed the principal and teachers. Manooni and Soma primary schools in Katulani have also been closed for lack of learners,” Isaack said.
He said several other schools across the county faced a similar threat as dwindling enrolment and poor attendance left classrooms virtually empty.
“There are many schools in Kitui that are at risk of being shut down because of poor enrolment,” he said.
He added that Mbusyani Secondary School was among those facing closure, as it had no learners. He said there were plans to withdraw the principal and transfer the teachers to other schools.
Speaking to the media at his office in Kitui on Thursday, Isaack urged parents and education stakeholders to work together to ensure learners who have dropped out return and continue with their education.
He noted that low enrolment was also affecting government capitation to schools because funding allocations were largely based on the number of learners enrolled.
“Some institutions were receiving funding that was insufficient to meet their operational needs,” he observed.
Isaack warned that declining enrolment not only undermined the viability of schools but also resulted in the wastage of public resources invested in infrastructure such as classrooms and other facilities.
He called on parents and communities to take a more active role in encouraging children who have left school to return and remain in class.
The county director of education also urged both day and boarding schools to introduce feeding programmes, particularly for day scholars, to improve attendance and learner retention.
“I request school administrations, Boards of Management, parents and teachers in our schools to provide meals for day scholars, even if once a day, to stem absenteeism and help retain learners in school,” he said.
Isaack further called on schools to implement new guidelines issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on learning hours.
Under the guidelines, classroom instruction should begin at about 8am and end between 3.30pm and 4.45pm on school days. Learners should then be given adequate time to participate in co-curricular activities.
“With resumption of learning this term, we request Boards of Management and heads of institutions to follow the new guidelines on learning hours issued by the CS to the letter,” Isaack said.
He said adherence to the guidelines, coupled with measures to address absenteeism and school dropouts, would help improve learner retention and safeguard the future of schools facing declining enrolment.
