Details have recently emerged of a Kenyan secondary school in Kirinyaga County that has a total of 8 teachers with only one student.
A form 2 learner was captured in footage shared by Citizen TV at Mugwendi Public Day & Mixed Secondary School. The student was seated alone in the large classroom, scribbling on an exercise book while waiting for an English lesson. Later on, he is seen ringing a bell.
It has also emerged that the learner is the only student enrolled at the institution that is imminently collapsing. The scene has caused an uproar from education stakeholders and Kenyans.
“It is true, as you can see, there is only one student and eight teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in the school,” said County Director of Education Lydiah Mutegi.
Kenyans have raised concerns over how a student can be alone at such a big school. The student serves as the head prefect, timekeeper and dining prefect.
Gachoki Gitari, the Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament attributed the isssue to delays by the TSC in appointing a new permanent school principal. The delay caused heavy transfers of students to other well-managed public schools.
“We will convene a board meeting at the school to determine the way forward,” the MP assured.
A section of Kenyan parents pointed out that the school’s name could be a factor leading to its rapid downfall. ‘Mugwandi’ in Kikuyu dialect means downfall, which could be a reason for its unpopularity.
“How can my child thrive in a school with such a name,” quipped Eunice Wambui.
Former Nairobi County boss, Anthony Kibuchi who is an alumnus of the institution shared his disappointment concerning the situation.
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“I attended Mugwandi Primary before the secondary school was constructed by the NG-CDF. It is devastating to hear that the school now has only one student and eight teachers, and it might close,” he said.
A board meeting has been convened to discuss the way forward in restoring the school to its former glory. The neighbouring community and stakeholders have also chipped in to save the institution.
“We need to know the leaders of Kirinyaga County if they really mean well as far as education is concerned,” added another Kenyan.
