Only 13% of Nyandarua KCSE Candidates to Join University
The Department of Education in Nyandarua North Sub County has revealed that only 13% of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates will transition to universities.
During a Sub County heads of departments meeting held at the Deputy County Commissioner’s boardroom, John Gakunga, the Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer, noted that 242 out of 1,897 candidates scored C+ and above, meeting university admission requirements.
Gakunga attributed the low transition rate to a critical shortage of teachers, worsened by transfers to neighboring Laikipia County, which offers a hardship allowance. Several schools in the sub-county currently operate without school heads, while three schools lack both principals and deputies, relying instead on teachers in acting capacities.
Accessibility to schools remains a major challenge due to poor road networks, affecting both learners and teachers, and complicating the transportation of examination materials. Gakunga requested the Deputy County Commissioner to liaise with the area MP for potential N-CDF funding to upgrade roads.
The officer also highlighted concerning public health findings, revealing that approximately 80% of learners in the sub-county exhibit stunted growth, which could negatively impact learning outcomes. The Department of Education plans to hold consultations with school heads and public health officials to address these findings.
On school standards assessment, almost half of the 61 schools in the sub-county were assessed last year, with reports shared with school heads. Remaining schools are scheduled for assessment this year.
In preparation for Grade 9, the sub-county completed 16 classrooms under the Kenya Primary Education Equity Learning (KPEEL) Programme, funded by the World Bank. An additional 15 classrooms are under construction in ongoing phases three and four, with hopes that international funding changes will not disrupt progress.