Ministry assures parents of seamless Grade 9 transition under CBC

As the academic calendar draws closer to reopening, the Ministry of Education has assured parents and stakeholders that preparations for the first cohort of Grade 9 learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) are on track, addressing widespread concerns about infrastructure and resources.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos 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 Sh11 billion for the construction of 11,000 classrooms, with each classroom costing Sh1 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.

Migos further emphasised that the teacher retooling process is underway, with 46,000 teachers already placed on permanent and pensionable terms. The distribution of textbooks has been carried out at a 1:1 ratio to ensure every learner has access to the required materials.

In a statement to newsrooms, the ministry announced that it has finalised preparations for capitation grants for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). A total of Sh15.3 billion has already been disbursed to 20,314 junior secondary schools ahead of the January 2025 opening.

“We’ll ensure schools receive capitation before they open so that teachers and head teachers don’t face unnecessary challenges. We are working closely with the Treasury to ensure timely release of funds before the term begins,” Migos said.

The transition comes amidst debates over the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms’ 2023 recommendation to domicile Junior Secondary Schools in existing primary schools.

Critics argue that Grade 9 learners should be placed in secondary schools to utilise idle Form One classrooms.

However, the ministry remains committed to implementing the reforms as planned.