Mugwandi Public Day and Mixed Secondary School in Kirinyaga Central, Kirinyaga County, is on the brink of closure due to a severe student enrollment crisis. The school currently has only one student enrolled, a situation that has sparked deep concern among local residents and education stakeholders.
The school’s lone student, a Form Two learner, was observed studying alone in an empty classroom, awaiting an English lesson. The scene paints a bleak picture of the challenges faced by the institution, highlighting the dire need for intervention to prevent its closure.
The newly appointed principal, when approached for comment, initially declined to speak without approval from the County Director of Education. “Please, we are not allowed to talk with the media. Kindly call the County Director of Education before I permit access to the school compound,” the principal said. After contacting County Director of Education Lydiah Mutegi, permission for media access was granted. Mutegi confirmed the disheartening situation, revealing that the school employs eight teachers, all appointed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), but the student enrollment remains critically low.
Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament Gachoki Gitari attributed the crisis to delays by the Teachers Service Commission in appointing a permanent school principal. These delays, Gitari explained, caused many parents to transfer their children to other schools. “We will convene a board meeting at the school to determine the way forward,” Gitari assured, emphasizing the need for urgent solutions.
Some parents, however, voiced additional concerns. Eunice Wambui, a local parent, suggested that the school’s name, “Mugwandi,” which translates to “downfall” in Kikuyu, might have contributed to its declining popularity. “How can my child thrive in a school with such a name?” she questioned.
The community, including former students of the school, is deeply concerned about the possible closure. Anthony Kibuchi, an alumnus of Mugwandi Primary School, expressed his sorrow. “It is devastating to hear that the school now has only one student and eight teachers, and it might close,” Kibuchi said.
As the fate of Mugwandi Secondary School hangs in the balance, local stakeholders are actively working to explore solutions, including restoring parental confidence and increasing enrollment. A board meeting is planned to discuss strategies to save the institution from closure, but time is running out.
