Dandora Secondary Head Principle Mr Eustus Thiongo celebrates to Joins With Prestigious National Schools A Native Under Priviledged Hails KCSE Top Student

By Bruno Aero Family Media Staff Writer and Education Attache 

Speaking during the brief to honor the top student Mr Vincen Mnandi  

Principle Thiongo Urges 100% School Transition to Curb Drugs and Crime

A Dandora Educationist and the school principle Mr Eustus Thiongo a mentor and roll model who futured  Dandora secondary to be a pioneer who has called for urgent government intervention to ensure learners to secondary school,

 Warning that failure to keep children in school will undermine the fight against drugs and crime in informal settlements.

Speaking at Dandora Secondary School during a community event to honour a top-performing student Mr Thiongo said education remains the most effective tool to change the narrative surrounding Dandora and other marginalised neighbourhoods.

Mr Thiongo said the area is often portrayed negatively despite having talented and hardworking young people who only lack adequate support and resources.

“For a very long time, we have had so much bad news about Dandora out there, and I feel it is my responsibility to show people that this is not what our community is all about,” he said.

The event was attended by community parents and school BOG the event to recognise Mnandi, a student at Dandora Secondary School who attained an A-minus in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) while studying in a day school—an achievement Mwigereri described as exceptional given the challenges faced by learners in the area.

“Getting an A-minus in a day school is not easy

After classes, these students go home, fend for themselves, and often lack time and space to revise. It takes immense sacrifice to reach that level,” He noted.

 the recognition was not only meant to celebrate academic excellence but also to motivate other children in the community to resist the lure of drugs, crime, and hopelessness.

Mr Thiongo expressed concern over rising drug and substance abuse among children as young as nine years old, saying the problem remains widespread in Dandora and similar neighbourhoods.

“We want young people to understand that where you come from does not define your destiny. A child in Dandora is no different from other locality the difference is access to resources,

 Mr Thiongo added

On education policy,made a direct appeal to well wishas for more sponsorship to enforce a 100 per cent transition to secondary school, arguing that many children are currently out of school due to poverty and the harsh economic climate.

if these kids do not go to school, the fight against drugs and crime will be a futile one. Parents want their children to learn, but many simply cannot afford school fees,”

 He, added that the cases highlighted by the media only scratch the surface of the crisis.

Mr Thiongo welcomed the government youth empowerment initiatives such as the Nyota programme but insisted that education must remain the top priority.

“We cannot win these battles if children stay at home.  on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), acknowledging widespread challenges arising from inadequate preparation of parents, teachers, and institutions. Mr Thiongo urged the Ministry of Education to urgently address gaps in teacher training and infrastructure, while also planning ahead for the transition of CBC learners to universities.

“As we try to fix what is happening at the secondary level, we must also think about what will happen when these learners reach universities, so that the confusion we are seeing now is not repeated 

 leadership focus will centre on improving education standards, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities for women and young people.

“I am here to serve this community as a vibrant teacher to excell and nature students for better education to someone who aspires to lead.