Concern as C4 schools in Machakos struggle with low admissions

Closed Grade 10 classrooms at Kasinga Secondary School in Mumbuni, Machakos, a C4 day school struggling to admit students. Photo by Anne Kangero./KNA

As Grade 10 admissions continue across Machakos County, C1, C2, and C3 schools are witnessing a high influx of learners, but C4 day schools in the sub-counties are struggling with low turnout.

On the third day of admissions under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, several C4 schools cite challenges such as the transfer window, placement delays, parents’ inability to download admission forms, poverty and limited subject pathways as major barriers to enrolment.

John Bosco Kioko, Principal at Kasinga Secondary in Mumbuni, a Subcounty Senior Secondary School, said only four students had reported so far, and they had not yet settled in class as parents requested more time to raise the term fee of Sh5,000.

Kioko noted that the school had been allocated 150 students and was expecting the first cohort of Grade 10 learners under CBE, but the low turnout has left teachers demoralised and concerned.

“It is saddening and worrying how low the turnout is, yet we had projected 150 students. Those placed in Kasinga have not turned up,” Kioko said.

He added that many students come from distant areas such as Malindi, Kajiado, Nairobi, and Kangundo, but Kasinga does not have boarding facilities, limiting the school’s ability to accommodate learners from far away.

Another challenge facing C4 schools is the limited subject pathways, mostly STEM and Social Sciences. Students with talents in Music, Arts, or Sports Science are likely to prefer schools offering these options.

In Kyeni Baptist Secondary in Machakos Sub-County, only three students had reported, despite a capacity for 90 learners.

Parent Catherine Mwongeli explained that while they had been assigned a cluster 3 boarding school in Ngelani, the distance and high costs made it impossible to attend, prompting them to select a nearby C4 school.

Kiwa Kimwe Secondary in Machakos with no activities, as none of the selected Grade 10 students have reported. Photo by Anne Kangero./KNA

At Kimwa Kimwe Secondary, out of the allocated 45 Grade 10 learners, none had reported.

Poverty remains a major challenge in the community, with parents struggling to meet basic needs and even relying on the school to print admission forms.

Parent Gladys Mumbua Mutua said, “We have no means; there are no casual jobs, and families are struggling to cater for school expenses.”

Miriam Munyao also cited limited subject pathways in C4 schools and the impact of the dry season on local farmers as factors preventing enrollment.

“Most of the villagers are farmers. With the dry season, they have nothing to harvest, making it difficult to admit their children to school,” she said.

The poor turnout in C4 schools highlights the need for government intervention to address placement issues, expand subject pathways, and support low-income families to ensure all students start the CBE curriculum on time.