Author: Hezron Rooy

Ministry of Education Admits Challenges Pioneer Grade 9 Rollout. The Ministry of Education has revealed significant challenges as it prepares for the rollout of the first Grade 9 cohort under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). These challenges range from classroom shortages to inadequate teacher numbers, raising concerns about the readiness for this transition. Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang indicated on Monday that there are not enough classrooms to accommodate all learners, necessitating improvised measures to avoid disrupting learning. He acknowledged that some classrooms might become congested temporarily, particularly over the next 30 days, while efforts to construct additional classrooms are…

School Principals Charge Extra Fees Outside Guidelines, Cite Funding Shortages. Principals across the nation have increasingly sought extra school fees from parents, exceeding the official guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education. They attribute this to insufficient government funding allocations. Investigations reveal that schools have adopted various strategies to impose these additional charges while evading detection by auditors or sanctions from authorities. In some instances, schools formalize these extra levies by obtaining parental consent during annual general meetings. In others, the illegal fees are deposited into separate accounts, distinct from the official ones where the Ministry of Education (MoE) deposits…

Bursary Funds Audit Exposes Corruption of Millions Meant for Needy Learners Across Constituencies. Introduction: Misuse of Funds Revealed An audit report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has unveiled significant mismanagement in the distribution of millions of shillings meant to support needy learners through bursaries. The report, released in December 2024, highlights widespread irregularities in the administration of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) bursary programs. These issues have left many deserving learners without the support they urgently need as schools reopen for the first term of 2025. Fraudulent Beneficiaries and Missing Documentation The report reveals that in numerous constituencies, bursaries…

TSC Teacher Requirements for Deployment to Junior Secondary Schools. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has outlined the qualifications and documentation required for primary school teachers seeking deployment to junior secondary schools (JSS). This year, TSC aims to deploy at least 6,000 Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers to JSS in response to a significant shortage of 72,422 teachers. Last year, TSC advertised 6,000 deployment slots for primary school teachers with secondary school diplomas or degrees, asking applicants to submit their applications online by March 18, 2024. TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia recently stated that the Commission requires 149,350 teachers to effectively…

Several Blacklisted Boarding Schools Reopen After Safety Upgrades. Directors of several boarding schools, previously shut down due to safety violations, have been granted approval to reopen. These schools, among the 348 institutions blacklisted earlier, have now met the required safety standards. The schools, which had been barred from operating, were assessed and found to have adhered to the stipulated safety protocols. This compliance has enabled them to regain the green light for resuming boarding operations. In Buruburu, Nairobi, Happyland School’s director, Moses Munyui, reported that the sub-county education director had approved the reopening of their boarding facilities. Munyui explained that…

Nationwide Shortage of Textbooks Hits Primary and Junior Secondary as Schools Reopen. Parents and bookshop owners across the country have reported a severe shortage of core textbooks for primary and junior secondary schools, which is expected to disrupt learning as schools reopen today. The issue predominantly affects recently reorganised and consolidated subjects, alongside new books for Grade 9, which are being introduced in schools this term. The government acknowledged that the distribution of free textbooks to public schools remains incomplete. The rationalisation of content has rendered older textbooks obsolete, leaving parents and teachers scrambling for the updated materials. Mohamed Ali,…

Schools Reopen Amid Shortage of Classrooms, Teachers, and Funds. Millions of students in primary, junior, and secondary schools resume learning today, even as Kenya’s education sector continues to grapple with longstanding issues. Key concerns include the delayed disbursement of the 50% annual capitation funds, the lack of classrooms for Grade 9 learners in some institutions, and the unavailability of textbooks in certain schools. Bookshops across the country have also been unable to meet parents’ demands for learning materials. Impact of Boarding Facilities’ Closure The closure of boarding facilities in 348 schools, which failed to meet safety standards, has further complicated…

KPSEA Results Out Today on Monday, Says Ogamba The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will release the results of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), according to a statement by the Ministry of Education. In a press release dated January 4 and signed by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migos, parents of pupils who sat for the KPSEA were advised to check the results promptly once the portal becomes accessible. The Ministry clarified that learner reports for the KPSEA will be available on school portals during the week starting January 6, 2025. This assessment is a vital evaluation…

TSC to Begin Phased Deployment of 6,000 P1 Teachers to JSS. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to commence the phased deployment of qualified primary school teachers to junior secondary schools (JSS) as part of efforts to address the acute shortage of teaching staff. This year, TSC plans to deploy at least 6,000 Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers to JSS, tackling a significant portion of the current shortfall of 72,422 teachers. To facilitate this process, TSC will activate an online application portal, allowing primary school teachers to apply for deployment. Staff Shortages in JSS Highlighted Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos…

KNEC Final Scoring Framework: KPSEA 20%, SBA 20%, KJSEA 60% Structure of Learner Assessments The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has outlined the assessment framework for primary and junior secondary learners ahead of their transition to senior secondary school. These evaluations will integrate School-Based Assessments (SBA) and standardized national assessments, contributing to the total score for placement in senior secondary. Learners will undertake SBAs in Grades 7 and 8, contributing 20% of their total score. These assessments are conducted annually during the second and third terms. Term two assessments involve projects and practical work, while term three focuses on theoretical…