Principals of Cluster 1 senior schools, formerly known as national schools, have been accused of admitting learners far beyond their declared capacities, raising concerns over their safety as well as the quality of education.
The principals are reported to have admitted more Grade 10 learners than they were allowed by the Ministry of Education, even as Cluster 4 schools (sub-county) struggle to fill up their classrooms.
Last month, parents rushed to enrol their children in Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 (extra-county) schools after the ministry allowed principals to admit learners directly on the National Educational Management Information System (Nemis).
However, this is now at risk owing to the large class sizes, with some schools reported to have more than 15 streams for Grade 10 only.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos (right) with Principal Secretary Julius Bitok during the release of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment results in Nairobi on December 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
The matter came up for discussion in Parliament when members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education raised the alarm, questioning the MoE’s handling of the transition to senior school under the competency-based education (CBE). Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius K. Bitok was appearing before the MPs to present the budget proposals for the State Department for Basic Education.
The lawmakers cited cases where certain top-tier schools admitted more than 800 students in a single cohort, with some classrooms meant for 45 learners reportedly accommodating more than 100 learners.
“What kind of quality of education are we preparing for these learners? When classrooms are overcrowded, dormitories are overstretched and teachers are forced to handle far more students than recommended, we must ask ourselves whether we are protecting academic standards or slowly eroding them. Without matching enrolment with adequate resources, infrastructure and staffing, the quality of education will inevitably suffer,” said Eve Obara, the MP for Kabondo Kasipul, who is also the vice chair of the committee.
The MPs further expressed concern over congested dormitories and sanitation facilities in boarding institutions originally designed for far fewer learners, arguing that overcrowding poses safety risks and strains the available infrastructure.
At the same time, MPs painted a contrasting picture of Cluster 4 day schools, where some institutions reportedly have as few as 10 to 20 students despite having adequate classrooms and teachers deployed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who is also the chairperson National Assembly Education Committee, on May 13, 2025 at Bunge Towers, Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation
“You cannot justify a situation where one school has one thousand learners crammed into classrooms while another has just 10, yet both are allocated teachers on the payroll. That imbalance defeats equity, strains quality in overcrowded schools, and undermines prudent use of public resources,” said Julius Melly, the chairperson of the committee.
The committee warned that concentrating learners in a few institutions risks undermining equity in access to quality education while public investment in under-enrolled day schools goes to waste.
Lawmakers further raised concerns that financial incentives may be driving over-admission in popular schools. They questioned whether some principals admitted more students than their approved capacities in order to increase the capitation funds allocated per learner by the government.
“Are we encouraging principals to admit beyond their schools’ capacity simply to chase capitation funds? That is a dangerous incentive. We must enforce strict oversight to ensure public resources are not abused at the expense of quality and safety in our schools because this is a health hazard,” said Dick Maungu, the MP for Luanda Constituency.
The committee warned that the current situation risks creating a two-tier system, with overcrowded elite schools on one end and struggling day schools on the other, while public investment in infrastructure and teachers remains unevenly utilised.
In response, Prof Bitok defended the placement process, stating that 1.1 million learners had been successfully placed in senior schools against a national capacity of 1.5 million, leaving about 400,000 spaces available.
Grade 10 learners with their parents during admission at Kisumu Girls High School on January 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Prof Bitok acknowledged that former national schools attracted overwhelming demand, revealing that two such institutions received more than 50,000 applications each.
“All learners have transitioned. Former national schools continue to attract overwhelming demand. We have institutions that received more than 50,000 applications each, which clearly shows the immense pressure and expectations placed on these schools,” said Prof Bitok.
According to the PS, 51 per cent of learners were placed in STEM pathway, 38 per cent were placed in social sciences, and 11 per cent were placed in the arts and sports science pathways.
He explained that initial placements were based strictly on declared capacities. However, after complaints from school heads that they were not sufficiently involved in the first phase, the MoE allowed principals to participate in adjustments.
“We allowed principals to work with us in the transition process after the initial placements, but always within the framework of declared capacities and available space. However, we have observed instances where schools admitted more learners than required. That is why we plan to meet with members for a retreat to address these challenges and find solutions,” he said.
MPs, however, maintained that reopening the system may have contributed to excess admissions in high-demand schools, worsening congestion.
