A multi-purpose facility has been commissioned at Nyabururu Girls National School in Kitutu Central Sub County, Kisii County.
The 3000-capacity infrastructure named Dr. Joyce Orioki Auditorium will host classrooms, laboratories and a multi-purpose hall.
The facility, named after the school’s Chief Principal, Dr. Joyce Orioki, is also expected to attract a range of extracurricular activities such as drama and music festivals, public speaking opportunities and other celebrations in Gusii region and beyond.
The school’s newly constructed facility was officially opened by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba.
Speaking during the launch, CS Ogamba said the infrastructure will ease the shortage of space for learning within the school.
The CS noted the school has a rich history and has consistently produced bright students who have ended up making a great contribution to the country’s development.
“Indeed, this is one of the reasons the government decided to upgrade this school to a national school, the only girls’ national school in Kisii in that category,” he said.
Ogamba pointed out that the upgrade to a national school was one of the reasons for the massive expansion of the school, which has led to a sustained growth in enrollment, academics and co-curriculum output.
In addition, the CS encouraged last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates who qualified for university admission to apply for courses and programs in universities.
He noted the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal was currently open to eligible 2024 KCSE candidates who scored C plus and above to apply for placement in universities of their choice for the academic year 2025/2026.
“The portal will remain open for the entire month of April to allow qualified students to apply and give them adequate time to undertake the applications,” Ogamba said.
A total of 246,391 students obtained the minimum mean grade of C plus and above, which is the required grade for a university entry.
In addition, the CS confirmed the Education Ministry had addressed the concerns about the transition from junior school to senior school, particularly regarding the career pathways and placement criteria.
He said they had developed guidelines for the purpose of placing learners in grade 10 next year and the placement in pathways would be guided by a balance of learner interest, available infrastructure and equity considerations.
Ogamba pointed out that the schools will be supported to offer at least two or three pathways to ensure learners have options that are aligned to their career aspirations.
Further, he directed the leadership of Nyabururu Girls to offer all three CBC pathways to ensure that more girls can access the high quality available in the institution.
By Mercy Osongo
