Education PS Declines to Commission Grade 9 Classroom in Isiolo.
Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang postponed the commissioning of a Grade 9 classroom at Barracks Primary School in Isiolo County and instructed the construction of three more classrooms within three to four months.
He announced plans to return to the school to commission all four classrooms once completed. The school committee assured him that funding was already secured to finalize the project.
Dr. Kipsang emphasized the urgency of accommodating the 200 students transitioning to Grade 9 in the public school hosted at the Military ground. He noted that the recommended capacity of 50 students per class necessitated the addition of four classrooms.
Grade 9 Preparations and Teacher Recruitment
The PS reported that Grade 9 textbooks covering nine subjects under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) were already supplied, ensuring each student has access to learning materials.
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He also disclosed that the government would hire 20,000 intern teachers next year to cater to Grade 9 learners.
“To take care of the grade nine learners next year, the government was going to hire 20,000 intern teachers and as well absorb the 46,000 who had been teaching for two years on a permanent basis,” the PS added.
To address staffing needs further, Dr. Kipsang revealed that some primary school teachers would be promoted, contributing to the 90,000 teachers required to support Junior Secondary education next year.
New Systems and Infrastructure Development
Dr. Kipsang confirmed that guidelines for Grade 10 learning were finalized, and the government was committed to ensuring the success of the CBC system.
He added that the government plans to finance the construction of 1,600 laboratories in secondary schools between January and April next year to bolster science education.
On the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, Dr. Kipsang highlighted measures to uphold integrity. He explained that each candidate’s details and photographs were printed on the question papers.
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This approach ensures accountability by holding candidates responsible for malpractice, such as allowing others to use their papers.
Additionally, this measure eliminates excess printing and prevents unauthorized photocopying of exam papers in case of shortages. The KCSE exams, which began on October 22, are set to conclude in November.
Education PS Declines to Commission Grade 9 Classroom in Isiolo.
