Puzzle of Siaya Girl Admitted to National Boys School After KCPE Triumph

Driven by a burning desire to excel in life, overcome the jinx of academic failure that plagued her family, and uplift her family from the grips of poverty, Gloria Adhiambo pushed herself beyond her limits and achieved an impressive score of 389 marks in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary School Education (KCPE) exam.

Attending Nyalgunga Primary School in North Alego, Siaya County, she firmly believed that education held the key to transforming her life. With determination to climb the academic ladder and achieve success, Gloria's aspirations now seem shattered upon receiving an admission letter from Lenana School in Nairobi. However, a critical flaw taints this letter - Lenana School is exclusively for boys. On a visit to Gloria's home in Nyalgunga, the undeniable evidence of extreme poverty is impossible to overlook. Half-naked children roam about, their emaciated figures presenting a bleak image. Next to an abandoned house, a heap of dried maize stalks stands as a testament to a failed harvest.

In a voice tinged with despair, Gloria conveys her disappointment, lamenting her lack of knowledge about the national school's policy of only accepting boys. She had dedicated herself tirelessly, believing that her academic achievements would change her family's fortunes. However, much to her surprise, she found herself enrolled in a boys' school, despite her other preference for several girls' schools. This unexpected turn of events has left her feeling anxious and concerned that she may miss out on the opportunity to attend a national school. Adding to her troubles, the mistake on her admission letter has prevented her from applying for scholarships or grants. As a result, numerous opportunities for financial assistance have been closed off to her.

Gloria's academic excellence has been unwavering since her early schooling days. While she had aspired for a remarkable 400 marks in the KCPE exam, she remains content with her commendable score of 389. However, her mother, Ms Margaret Awuor, expresses worry regarding Gloria's present situation. Ms Awuor emphasizes that Gloria had exerted immense effort to secure admission into a prestigious national school, and the clock is ticking for her to transform that dream into a tangible achievement.

In response to the error, they promptly informed Gloria's former head teacher who has assured them that the matter would be brought to the attention of the appropriate officials at the Ministry of Education. Mbugua Kabaki, the Education Director of Siaya County, has confirmed over the phone that the issue will be swiftly resolved. He reassures them that it is a minor error that will be promptly rectified.