MOMBASA: As the new school term approaches, the Ministry of Education has confirmed its readiness to accommodate Grade 9 students transitioning under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). State Department for Basic Education, Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, announced that the government has ensured the availability of sufficient classrooms, books, and teachers to facilitate a seamless transition for learners.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Kipsang emphasized the government’s efforts over the past year in preparing for the transition of Grade 8 learners to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). Additional classrooms have been constructed in primary schools to support this shift. During a meeting with County Directors of Education from the Coast region in Mombasa, Dr. Kipsang noted that the transition aligns with recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, which indicated that 93 percent of Kenyans preferred their children to remain in primary schools for Junior Secondary Education.
Since the CBC’s introduction in 2017, the transition has generally proceeded smoothly, despite some challenges. Dr. Kipsang assured that learning materials have been adequately supplied, with 9.9 million Grade Nine books printed and distributed to 85 percent of schools. Efforts are ongoing to reach the remaining 14 percent.
In terms of infrastructure, the government has constructed 13,200 classrooms out of a targeted 16,000, with contributions from both the Ministry of Education and the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). The PS noted that nearly 2,800 classrooms are still under construction, with specific attention to schools with low enrollment that nonetheless require additional classrooms.
Regarding teacher staffing, the Teachers Service Commission has recruited 20,000 intern teachers and converted 46,000 to permanent and pensionable positions. Dr. Kipsang stated that there are currently over 80,000 teachers in Junior Schools, although there remains a need for more than 140,000 to meet the full demand.
Dr. Kipsang concluded by affirming that schools have implemented adequate measures to ensure uninterrupted learning, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting the educational needs of students as they transition into the new academic year.