Kirinyaga: Mugwandi Secondary School in Kirinyaga Central Sub-County is poised to undergo a transformation into a technical vocational institution following years of low enrollment numbers. The school, once a thriving educational establishment, has been grappling with a significant decline in student numbers, leaving it with only one learner before its eventual closure. Area leaders have proposed converting the school into a satellite campus of the Kirinyaga Central Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre, aiming to revitalize the underutilized facility and provide benefits to the local community.
According to Kenya News Agency, the school, which began operations in the late 1990s, has witnessed a consistent drop in enrollment over the years despite having sufficient infrastructure, trained educators, and government support. By 2023, the institution had dwindled to just one student, who was subsequently transferred, leading to its closure. This decline has continued to perplex local administrators, teachers, and education stakeholders.
During a recent empowerment program held at the school grounds, Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament Hon. Joseph Gachoki Gitari emphasized that the institution was fully equipped and staffed but suffered from a lack of students due to increased competition from newly established schools in the area. Gachoki noted that despite efforts by the Teachers Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to support the institution, a sustainable solution to reverse the trend was elusive. He advocated for the closure of the school and the utilization of its facilities in a manner that benefits the public.
Gachoki revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Education have been initiated to transform Mugwandi Secondary into a sub-branch of the Kirinyaga Central TVET. He highlighted the need for expansion due to the high number of trainees at the main campus, suggesting that the conversion would help decongest the center while making productive use of the existing infrastructure.
The MP stressed that the transformation into a technical training center would open new opportunities for the youth in the constituency. He pointed out that technical skills are in high demand and that a training institution closer to home would improve access, reduce costs, and stimulate local economic growth. He urged parents and local leaders to support the proposal, describing it as the most viable long-term solution for the ‘idle’ institution.
Kirinyaga Central Deputy County Commissioner Josephine Mwengi echoed concerns over declining enrollment in public secondary schools, warning that this trend may undermine government investments in education. She encouraged parents to utilize local public institutions instead of sending their children to distant schools without substantial reasons. Mwengi announced plans to convene a community meeting to discuss the future of Mugwandi and reach a consensus on the best path forward.
Residents attending the event expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting the conversion into a satellite campus and others insisting on reviving the secondary school. Peter Mwangi, a local resident, stated that the transformation into a TVET satellite campus would mark a significant educational realignment in Kirinyaga Central, increasing access to technical courses such as agriculture, electrical installation, welding, ICT, and hairdressing.