AIC Kipkombot Primary School Seeks Revival Amid Declining Enrollment and Challenges
AIC Kipkombot Primary School, once a beacon of academic excellence in Mosop Constituency, is grappling with a significant decline in student enrollment and a myriad of challenges.
The school, which was established in 1977, has seen its student population dwindle over the years due to various issues, including the lack of a feeding program and security concerns.
Decreasing Enrollment and Staffing Challenges
Acting Principal Anne Sitienei highlighted the critical situation facing the school.
“The number of students, especially in Grade Six, has decreased considerably due to various challenges,” she said.
“We lack a fence, which makes the school unsafe for students, and the absence of a feeding program has forced many less fortunate students to leave.”
The instability in school leadership has further compounded the problem. “Headteachers transferred here don’t stay long due to the small number of students. One headteacher only stayed for a year, which is why I am currently acting as the principal,” Sitienei explained. “I am confident that once we increase student enrollment, headteachers will be more inclined to stay, and parents will feel reassured about the school’s security and stability.”
The last Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams were taken in 2022, with the school achieving a mean score of 194. However, the following year, the number of students dwindled, preventing the school from sitting for the exams.
Community Efforts and Calls for Government Support
The school is making concerted efforts to regain its former glory. Alumni, led by Dr. Rotich, have pledged their support by engaging with parents to restore their faith in the school’s potential. “We are also working with local chiefs to boost enrollment,” Sitienei added. “We urge the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to provide us with a headteacher and two additional teachers to restore confidence among parents.”
Julius Keter, a long-serving teacher at Kipkombot Primary, lamented the impact of frequent changes in leadership. “In the past, we had over 200 students, but frequent headteacher changes eroded parents’ confidence in the school,” he said. “We now only have six teachers, which is insufficient. The TSC needs to appoint substantive principals who can provide stable leadership.”
Community and Alumni Support
Board Member Jonathan Serem acknowledged the leadership issues that have led to the decline in student numbers. “We expect the student population to increase and aim to make Kipkombot one of the best schools in the region,” he stated.
Assistant Chief Wilson Serem emphasized the school’s historical significance and the impact of past mismanagement. “This school has produced doctors, teachers, and other professionals. We now rely on sponsors and alumni to help us move forward,” he said. “The school also lacks water and electricity, and we appeal to sponsors for assistance. By working together, we believe all will be well.”
Serem also urged parents who transferred their children to other schools to bring them back, assuring them that the situation is improving. “We call on the government and well-wishers to reinstate the feeding program to attract more students from poor backgrounds,” he added.
Kipkombot Primary School is hopeful that with the collective efforts of the community, alumni, and government support, it will overcome its current challenges and restore its status as a leading institution in the region.
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