Based on the number of Kenyan boys and girls enrolled in first grade in 2024, Sputnik Africa provides a rating of the most popular educational institutions for the future first graders.
Boys-Boarding Schools
1.
Kabianga High School: the top most wanted institution, chosen by 186,357 students despite having a capacity of only 672.2.
Nanyuki High School: 158,741 applications against a capacity of 480;3.
Kapsabet Boys: with a capacity of 432 was chosen by 143,723 students;4.
Maseno School: attracted 123,777 applicants, 672 were selected;5.
Nakuru High School: secured the top choice for 115,513 students, with 480 places.Girls-Boarding Schools
1.
Pangani Girls: chosen by 144,542 students and designed for 384 students;2.
Alliance Girls' High School: selected by 135,033 students with a capacity of 384;3.
Butere Girls High School: 114,635 applications with 480 girls selected;Mixed Schools:
1.
Mangu High School: with a capacity of 480, was selected by 112,938 students;2.
Alliance High School, preferred by 110,839 students and with a capacity of 384.Kenya's Ministry of Education revealed that the introduction of digital systems has made the enrollment process more efficient, transparent, accountable, and convenient for prospective first graders.
The first computerized placement of candidates at the national level took place in 2006.
"This was gradually extended to extra-county and county schools by 2016 and to sub-county level by 2020. Even with the computerization of the selection process, the preparation of joining instructions remained manual until 2017 when the ministry started uploading joining instructions online," Ezekiel Machogu, Education Cabinet Secretary, said as quoted by local media.
Earlier, selection and placement in the first classes were done manually and decentralized, which contributed to corruption, the secretary added.