New national school hurt by insecurity fears

By Nanjinia Wamuswa

Marsabit, Kenya: The recent elevation of several schools to national status by the Government was meant to raise their stature and enhance their appeal countrywide.

But the move seems to have added little value to some as they have failed to attract students from outside their counties.

Moi Girls High School, Marsabit is among the new national schools created last year, but since then it is finding it hard to justify its new status, as students, even within Marsabit County, are giving it a wide berth.

This year, out of the135 students selected from across the country to join the school, only five reported. Principal Halima Adan has no idea if they will end up at the school. However, the number is an improvement from the previous year. Of the students, two are from Nairobi, two from Nyanza and one from Western.

“It is a great improvement from last year where only two students came from outside the region,” she says.

Halima believes that parents from other regions are denying their children chance to join the school because Marsabit is associated with conflicts and tribal clashes.

She said asked people not to associate the whole of Marsabit with insecurity.

“There are many peaceful places, including the school; parents should allow their children to join us,” said Adan, who also trashed the popular belief that since the school is located in a drought-hit area, students will have difficulties accessing water.

Good learning

“The school has enough water throughout the year, good facilities and qualified teachers from different parts of the country. Students will enjoy favourable learning environment,” she reveals.

Adan disclosed that some parents still inquire if lorries are still the only means of transport.

“There are buses travelling to Marsabit. Parents should visit the school, see and experience for themselves the good learning environment,” she said.

It is a blow to the school that students who are chosen fail to report.

Adan says the institution was forced to fill up the places with students from local schools, who have scored at least 250 marks.

“We’re forced to ignore performance because if we do, the school will not have students,” she says.

This has led to poor performance. In 2011, the school had a mean score of 5.1 and in 2013, 3.9.  Adan, however, is optimistic that one day she will admit more students from other regions.