JAN 25 – When 38-year-old Justice Onyango Vincent started The BTC Adult School and Bridging Centre in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, in 2019, he wasn’t simply opening a learning institution—he was creating a pathway for Kenyans who had been left behind by the traditional education system.
Born in Busia County but raised in Mombasa where his father worked at the Kenya Ports Authority, Onyango’s own educational journey has been marked by resilience and ambition.
He completed his undergraduate degree at Kenya Methodist University in 2014 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Dar es Salaam. It is this academic exposure and lived experience that inspired him to reach out to those who never had a chance—or who were failed by the system.
“Kilifi County has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country,” Onyango explains. “And with the 8-4-4 system set to phase out by 2027, I began to ask myself—what happens to people who sat KCPE but never completed KCSE?”
BTC, which stands for Bridging and Training Centre, provides adults with a second chance to obtain a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
The school serves learners who may have dropped out of school, never sat the KCSE, had their results cancelled or withheld, or simply want to improve on specific subjects in which they performed poorly.
For example, one of BTC’s top performers, Elijah Munene, had scored a D+ in Biology in 2023. He joined BTC in 2024 and remarkably achieved an A plain in the same subject—enough to qualify for competitive courses like Nursing, which require at least a C plain in Biology.
“We see many students with potential. They just need the right environment and encouragement to try again,” Onyango says.
The BTC model is flexible and adult-oriented. There are no uniforms. Classes run part-time—only two hours a day—and students can opt for boarding or distance learning. This setup accommodates working adults, parents, and others juggling responsibilities while trying to improve their academic credentials.
Today, BTC has expanded beyond Mtwapa with branches in Bamburi (Mombasa), Port Victoria (Busia), and Milimani (Kisumu).
According to Onyango, students travel from across Kenya to enroll in the centre, with the goal of rewriting their academic stories.
However, the journey is not without challenges.
“The biggest barrier is fear of the unknown,” Onyango admits. “Some of our learners did KCPE over 20 years ago. They ask: can I really sit for KCSE in a year or two? And I tell them—nothing is impossible. What matters is your drive.”
The recent announcement by Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ogamba, that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will offer a July KCSE exam sitting, has only fuelled Onyango’s enthusiasm.
He sees this as a huge step forward for adult learners, especially those balancing jobs or family obligations.
Looking ahead, Onyango is calling on county governments across Kenya to partner with BTC and similar institutions to provide formal education opportunities to adults.
“We are ready to help county administrations educate their people. The need is there—and the impact can be transformative,” he says.
For Onyango, the success of BTC isn’t measured solely by grades or certificates. It’s about restoring dignity and offering hope.
“Education is not just about papers,” he says. “It’s about confidence, opportunity, and empowerment. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
