School heads decry worsening congestion in full transition push

Secondary school heads say they are experiencing a higher level of stress and anxiety due to the congestion in learning institutions.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) said institutions are overstretched by an influx of students as the Ministry of Education spearheads the 100 percent enrolment policy.

They now want the government to provide adequate infrastructure, teachers, beds and desks to ease the congestion.

“Make our sugar levels and stress go down … We are appreciative of the government’s effort to take the children to school, but can we also get support on how these students can settle very fast and be comfortable,” Kessha vice-chairman Bonface Karisa said.

Mr Karisa added that the push to have every primary school pupil transition to secondary school without provision of the enabling infrastructure and staffing had handicapped principals.

“We are in a situation where we have large numbers of students but lacking amenities. Here is a principal who has ended up receiving 500 students, how do I make them comfortable?

"Where do I keep them? Where do I get lockers for them? We need beds, classrooms, lockers and teachers for these students,” he added.