Education PS Kipsang Highlights Preparations for Upcoming Grade 10 Transition.
The Education Principal Secretary, Dr. Belio Kipsang, announced significant changes as the country prepares for the first intake of Grade 10 students, or senior school learners, within one year.
Kipsang outlined the shift toward a pathway-based placement system, with students set to be assigned to one of three specialized areas: Creative and Sports, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), or Humanities.
Unlike previous years where school selection was prioritized, students will first select a pathway, and their placement in schools will depend on where their chosen pathway is available.
Kipsang noted that the Ministry had already drafted guidelines for managing senior schools and sought feedback on Grade 10 curriculum designs in June. The Ministry is now finalizing these designs to start producing Grade 10 instructional materials early next year.
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“We already have a draft of the guidelines for the management of senior school. We have guidelines on the placement of our children into the pathways, and we are all aware that we have three pathways: Creative and Sports, STEM, and Humanities. This time, we will be placing our children into these pathways.”
Laboratory Expansion Plan
In response to a shortage of laboratory facilities across 1,600 schools, Kipsang confirmed that beginning January, each of these schools would receive at least one physical laboratory to ensure equitable STEM education.
Additionally, 2,000 virtual labs will be introduced to provide further support in the sciences, allowing students nationwide greater access to practical STEM learning.
Classroom Construction
To accommodate the rising student population, Kipsang outlined the progress on a government initiative to build 11,000 classrooms.
The government, through a conditional grant of 3.4 billion KSh, has partnered with the National Assembly, which is contributing another 3.4 billion KSh from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), totaling 6.8 billion KSh.
This collaboration will facilitate the construction of an additional 7,000 classrooms, bringing the total to 18,000. Dr. Kipsang assured that if further space issues arise in January, an additional 2,000 classrooms will be prepared to meet the demand.
Teacher Recruitment
To support the expansion of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is concluding the recruitment of 20,000 new teachers under contract and transitioning 46,000 interns to permanent roles.
Kipsang explained that additional assessments are being conducted to identify primary school teachers who can assist in junior schools.
The government aims to ensure sufficient teaching personnel to cover the CBC’s third cycle, which includes Grades 7, 8, and 9.
As Kenya enters the final phase of the third CBC cycle, preparations are well underway for the completion of the first two cycles (PP1-PP2 and Grades 1-6) and the progression to Grade 10.
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The fourth and final round of the basic education cycle is anticipated in 2026. Kipsang expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to ensure a smooth implementation of the CBC, while also emphasizing the importance of collaboration with media and stakeholders in addressing any emerging issues.
Education PS Kipsang Highlights Preparations for Upcoming Grade 10 Transition
