The government has moved to allay fears among key education stakeholders, assuring them that the Ministry of Education (MoE) is fully prepared for grade 9 transition as the school reopening dates approach.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has since stated that classroom construction is progressing nationwide and will be completed in time for the January reopening. He added that the ministry has already procured 9.9 million textbooks for Grade 9 learners, with over five million distributed to schools so far.
“The transition will take place, and all challenges we encounter, we are ready to handle them. The infrastructure, which is the main concern, will be addressed, and we will provide updates on the progress and completion timelines,” Migos said.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Belio Kipsang, confirmed that the government has allocated Ksh11 billion for the construction of 11,000 classrooms, with each classroom costing Ksh1 million.
He added that phase one of the project, which included 3,500 classrooms, is 98 per cent complete, while the second phase, consisting of 7,500 classrooms, is 70 per cent finished.
“Grade 9 preparation is ongoing. The classrooms will be ready by January. Textbooks have already been purchased, 20,000 teachers have been employed for Grade 9, and 60,000 teachers have been retooled to handle the curriculum,” Kipsang noted.
Classrooms constructed in preparation for grade 9 transition include 8 classrooms in Oloolua Junior School in Kajiado North, 5 classrooms in St.Marys Girls JS in Nakuru East Nakuru County. 6 in Ngurubani JS, Mwea East, Kirinyaga County, 7 in Gachororo JS, Juja Kiambu county.
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The CS Ogamba commissioned 3 completed classrooms at ACK Wote in Makueni County.
Two classrooms are complete at Wajir Primary Junior School, Wajir East sub-county. 1 classroom in Wajir school for the deaf, 9 classrooms at Kosawo JS in Kisumu Central Sub County. 3 complete grade 9 classrooms in Visa Oshwal Junior School in Baringo County.
3 classrooms in Chesta Girls JS in West Pokot County are complete, 5 in Maweni JS in Nyali, 3 at Likoni JS, 7 in Concordia JS Kisauni,4 in Sergoit JS, 7 at Riomego SDA Junior school, 10 in Wangu JS, 2 in Sotik primary, 5 in Naivasha DEB Primary school, 10 in Mirera Primary school, 4 in Kangundo DEB Machakos, 3 in kathithyma JS Kangundo, 7 in Ngeya primary school, 7 in Kwangethe comprehensive school among others.
By Felix Wanderi.
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