Education stakeholders in Thika are proposing a new solution to address the growing challenge of overcrowded classrooms: a “double shift” system for day schools. This proposal comes amidst concerns over the impact of the 100% transition policy on student learning and teacher workload.
Led by Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a, the initiative aims to alleviate the pressure on schools struggling with student populations exceeding 1,000. With the area experiencing a lack of sufficient schools and a booming population, day schools are feeling the brunt of the overcrowding issue.
The proposed solution involves dividing the student body into two groups, with one group attending classes from morning until midday and the other attending from midday until late afternoon. This approach, according to Ms. Ng’ang’a, aims to ensure proper supervision for all students and create a more conducive learning environment for better academic performance.
Speaking at Chania Girls Secondary School during their prize-giving ceremony, Ms. Ng’ang’a highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers due to the sheer number of students. “With over 100 students in a single class, it’s impossible for a single teacher to adequately guide and interact with each student effectively,” she stated, emphasizing the teacher workload burden under the current scenario.
The situation has become so critical that the MP, along with other stakeholders, resorted to converting a local primary school, Jamhuri School, into a secondary school last year. This initiative aimed to alleviate pressure on the limited number of existing day schools. Currently, the converted school accommodates 220 students, and plans are underway to establish another day secondary school in Kamenu ward, known for its high population density.
“While constructing new schools remains a crucial long-term solution,” Ms. Ng’ang’a explained, “introducing the double shift system is necessary in the present context. The high population in Thika is straining our resources, and relying solely on the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) is not enough to build sufficient classrooms.”
Chania Girls High School Principal, Ms. Mary Mwangi, confirmed the challenges faced by the school due to overcrowding. She revealed that in the past three years, seven out of nine Form One classes have been forced to conduct lessons under tents, enduring harsh weather conditions. “We’ve even converted a classroom into a dormitory and a makeshift dormitory while we await the completion of a new one,” she added.
While the proposal is still under discussion, it underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the growing concerns over student learning and teacher well-being.
