The government has moved to stabilize textbook supply for the pioneer Grade 10 cohort, procuring 11,867,325 textbooks for distribution to senior schools nationwide after delays linked to unpaid publisher bills.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the intervention on Thursday during a visit to English Press Ltd in Nairobi, saying delivery will prioritize schools that have not yet received their allocations and will be completed by the end of January.
Ogamba said the Ministry of Education remains committed to a one‑book‑per‑learner policy and has negotiated emergency financing to unlock printing and logistics. He acknowledged that distribution had stalled late last year because the government owed publishers approximately KSh11 billion, but confirmed that KSh5.6 billion has since been released to enable presses to resume work and dispatch Grade 10 materials.
The CS added that, despite the remaining KSh4.4 billion pending bill, publishers have agreed to continue printing and distribution on the strength of government goodwill and ongoing engagements with the National Treasury.
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“There is no reason for the printers and publishers to doubt that the government will meet its obligation of paying the pending bill of KSh4.4 billion, so that this partnership can proceed without hiccups or challenges,” he said.
To reassure schools and parents, Ogamba reported that at least 40 per cent of the books will reach institutions by Friday, January 23. He noted that the rollout is already ahead of schedule, with 50 per cent of consignments confirmed in transit or delivered, and reiterated that the full consignment will be in schools by month‑end.
Ogamba also clarified that textbooks are being supplied at a ratio of two per core subject and that any imbalances caused by inter‑school transfers will be corrected through rationalization to ensure each learner has two core books for every core area of study.
Ogamba said the ministry will publish the actual transition rate of the Competency‑Based Education cohort to Grade 10 on Thursday evening, following the lapse of the extended reporting deadline of January 21. He explained that the extension accommodated parents facing financial difficulties and those awaiting fresh placement results, and emphasized that teaching will begin in earnest next week, making timely textbook delivery essential for curriculum coverage.
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The CS underscored broader support to basic education, citing the release of KSh44 billion ahead of the official school opening day on January 5. He said the textbook distribution plan is aligned to that funding and designed to ensure learning continuity across all senior schools, with priority given to institutions yet to receive their copies. “As part of ongoing efforts to enhance access to quality education, the Government continues to provide core textbooks to learners at a ratio of one book per learner,” he said, adding that the current Grade 10 procurement covers all schools countrywide.
Ogamba reiterated that MoE will keep working with publishers and printers to maintain momentum through January, resolve residual bottlenecks, and guarantee that every Grade 10 learner has the required materials in hand as classes commence.
By Masaki Enock
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