Secondary schools nationwide have been prohibited from admitting students through transfers without approval from the Ministry of Education.
This directive comes despite the anticipated availability of space following the departure of the current Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates and the suspension of Form One admissions for 2025.
In a circular dated November 29, 2024, Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang outlined stringent measures to manage transfers and address longstanding issues of overcrowding in secondary schools.
The directive prohibits schools from declaring vacancies or conducting interviews for transferring students without express authorisation from the Ministry. “No school should declare vacancies or conduct interviews without approval from the Ministry,” the circular states.
It adds: “Any school that may have declared vacancies and conducted interviews is hereby directed to cancel the process.”
The Ministry’s decision seeks to address the severe congestion in classrooms and dormitories that has strained resources in many secondary schools.
According to the PS, the congestion is largely attributed to the government’s 100 per cent transition policy, which mandates that all learners progress from primary to secondary education.
While this policy has significantly increased access to education, it has also led to overcrowding in many institutions, stretching their capacity and impacting the quality of education.
The directive lays out a clear procedure for student transfers. Students seeking transfers must now go through the Ministry of Education, with approval granted based on the type of school.
For National and Extra County schools, approval must come from the Head of the Directorate of Secondary Education.
Transfers to County schools require authorization from Regional Directors of Education, while those to Sub-County schools must be approved by County Directors of Education. “All transfers must comply with the Basic Education Act (2013), Sections 32 and 34(4) and must be approved by Ministry of Education officials,” the circular reads.
It adds that no interview fees will be charged for the process.
Dr Kipsang noted that the space left by the departing KCSE candidates presents an opportunity to manage the issue of overcrowding more effectively.
“The available capacity will be used to address the chronic congestion that has plagued schools in recent years,” he said.