The 14-year-old girl who was mistakenly placed at a boys’ institution, the Lenana School, can now breathe a sigh of relief after she was given a slot at the Ng’iya Girls’ High School in Siaya County.

Gloria Adhiambo Owino’s story hit the headlines after it emerged that despite being a female student she had been placed at a boys’ school, an issue that brought confusion not only to her but her entire family as well.

Gloria, who sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations last year at Nyalgunga Primary School in Alego/Usonga sub-county, attained 389 marks.

Her plight was adopted by Siaya sub-county education board chaired by Deputy County Commissioner Robert Ng’etich, who secured her a place at Ng’iya Girls’ High School.

“When I read that there was a girl that had been placed at a boys’ school, what I did was to send for the parents and the girl so that we can resolve that challenge. So we came to place a request at Ng’iya, which is a national girls’ school, and was one of her choices,” he said.

Speaking when they took the girl to Ng’iya Girls’ High School, Alego/Usonga sub-county Director of Education Maurice Saka stated that the mix up was brought about by a slight error that has since been sorted.

He stated therefore that there should be no cause for alarm, assuring the family that the girl will be placed at Ng’iya.

“This was a simple error which we have now corrected. The girl was captured as a male because the necessary corrections had not been done early during registration, but we have placed a request to Ng’iya Girls following consultation and the girl is going to be placed,” said Mr. Saka.

Ng’iya Girls High School Principal Hellen Juma revealed that her office had also already placed a request to the Ministry of Education to have Gloria absorbed in the institution, and exuded confidence that the request will go through.

“I have placed a request to the ministry, which I know will be approved, so that this girl can be absorbed in Ng’iya Girls. I want to believe that everything will be put in place so that this girl can continue her education here,” she said.

Gloria and her parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude following the new development, adding that their only worry now is where to get school fees.

Her father Fredrick Owino and mother Margaret Awuor thanked the education officers for their efforts, but appealed to well-wishers to come to their aid so that they can admit her to the school.

“Bado tuko na changamoto ya kukosa karo ya shule, sasa ningeomba marafiki na mtu yeyote mwenye anaweza nisaidia niingie shule,” Gloria said.

Mr. Owino stated: “Niko na upungufu wa pesa, naomba mwenye ako na uwezo atusaidie.”