The 17-year-old boy from Lanet, Nakuru County, had been successfully placed at the national school under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathway following the release of Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) placement results.
According to his parents, the placement marked a major milestone for their son, who had long dreamed of joining Lenana School.
Speaking to the media, the student’s father said the family made urgent financial sacrifices to meet the school’s admission requirements, spending close to KSh 46,000 within a short period.
Speaking to the media, the student’s father said the family made urgent financial sacrifices to meet the school’s admission requirements, spending close to KSh 46,000 within a short period.
The family, which relies on small-scale farming, said the student was overjoyed upon receiving his admission letter and was eager to begin his senior school journey.
The optimism, however, was short-lived. On the reporting day, the family alleges that the school declined to admit the learner after assessing his physical condition.
The optimism, however, was short-lived. On the reporting day, the family alleges that the school declined to admit the learner after assessing his physical condition.
The student lives with cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, and experiences speech and motor challenges, though his parents insist he is academically capable and mentally sound.
According to the parents, school officials explained that the institution lacked specialised infrastructure to support what they described as an “extreme case.”
According to the parents, school officials explained that the institution lacked specialised infrastructure to support what they described as an “extreme case.”
They further indicated that plans by the government to improve accessibility at the school were yet to be implemented.
The rejection reportedly took a heavy emotional toll on the student. His mother said the teenager broke down in tears and required counselling while still at the school compound.
The rejection reportedly took a heavy emotional toll on the student. His mother said the teenager broke down in tears and required counselling while still at the school compound.
She described the experience as deeply painful, noting that her son had previously performed well in a day school setting and scored 37 points in his assessments.
“He does not focus on his disability. He focuses on his dreams,” the father said, adding that the incident left the family devastated and struggling to comfort their son.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Education was contacted, and arrangements were made to transfer the learner to S.A. Joytown Secondary School in Thika, an institution that specialises in educating students with physical disabilities.
“He does not focus on his disability. He focuses on his dreams,” the father said, adding that the incident left the family devastated and struggling to comfort their son.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Education was contacted, and arrangements were made to transfer the learner to S.A. Joytown Secondary School in Thika, an institution that specialises in educating students with physical disabilities.
The family confirmed that the student has since been admitted, although they are still struggling to raise funds for uniforms and other requirements.
Despite the transfer, the parents say their son still harbours hopes of joining Lenana School before completing his senior school education.
The case has drawn public attention after disability rights activist and human rights advocate Michael Makarina raised concerns over the alleged rejection of learners with disabilities at the school.
Despite the transfer, the parents say their son still harbours hopes of joining Lenana School before completing his senior school education.
The case has drawn public attention after disability rights activist and human rights advocate Michael Makarina raised concerns over the alleged rejection of learners with disabilities at the school.
Makarina claimed that several students who had been placed at Lenana School were initially turned away due to their physical conditions, despite meeting the academic criteria.
The activist said he was compelled to intervene after receiving distress calls from affected families.
The activist said he was compelled to intervene after receiving distress calls from affected families.
He described the situation as heartbreaking and called on authorities to ensure that the rights of learners with disabilities are upheld.
Following public pressure, Makarina said the Ministry of Education intervened, leading to the admission of some of the affected students.
Following public pressure, Makarina said the Ministry of Education intervened, leading to the admission of some of the affected students.
However, questions remain over why others were redirected to specialised institutions instead of being accommodated at the national school.
The incident has reignited debate on inclusivity in Kenya’s education system, particularly the preparedness of national schools to accommodate learners with disabilities under the new competency-based education pathways.
Efforts to obtain a response from Lenana School were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
Education stakeholders and disability advocates have since urged the government to fast-track the installation of accessible facilities in public schools and to enforce policies that guarantee equal learning opportunities for all students, regardless of physical ability.
The incident has reignited debate on inclusivity in Kenya’s education system, particularly the preparedness of national schools to accommodate learners with disabilities under the new competency-based education pathways.
Efforts to obtain a response from Lenana School were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
Education stakeholders and disability advocates have since urged the government to fast-track the installation of accessible facilities in public schools and to enforce policies that guarantee equal learning opportunities for all students, regardless of physical ability.
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