Govt Assures Readiness for Grade 8 to 9 Transition in January 2025.
The Kenyan government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for learners advancing from Grade 8 to Grade 9 in January 2025.
Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo highlighted the comprehensive measures in place to support this transition, including plans for classroom expansion, teacher recruitment, and digital training programs.
To accommodate the influx of Grade 9 students in early 2025, the government has finalized plans for constructing an additional 16,000 classrooms in comprehensive schools across Kenya.
Owalo confirmed that financial mechanisms are already established to facilitate these construction projects, addressing the nationwide classroom deficit effectively.
Addressing the Teacher Shortage
The government also aims to tackle the persistent teacher shortage by integrating 46,000 intern teachers into permanent positions under the Teachers Service Commission.
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Additionally, 20,000 more teaching positions have been advertised to meet current needs, creating a significant boost in educational staffing across the nation.
“We are aware that we have been having shortages of teachers, and that is why the government has decided to absorb the 46 thousand intern teachers through the Teachers Service Commission and also hire an additional 20 thousand teachers, which has already been advertised,” he said.
Speaking at the official handover of Kametho Primary School in Rarieda subcounty, refurbished by the Safaricom Mpesa Foundation under the Citizens of the Future program, Owalo encouraged youth to take advantage of the new ICT facilities.
He suggested using the facilities during weekends for training, emphasizing the importance of ICT skills in job creation.
The government aims to train at least 300 youths in every ward across the country, preparing them for employment opportunities in the digital economy.
Owalo outlined further development plans aimed at stimulating economic growth, which include projects for electricity, water, security, roads, and markets in the region. He urged the local community to anticipate and support these improvements.
Safaricom Mpesa Foundation’s Role in Education
The Safaricom Mpesa Foundation, represented by Chairperson Joseph Ogutu, plans to refurbish 600 schools nationwide under its Citizens of the Future program.
Each school will receive ICT hubs to equip students with digital skills, fostering the development of “digital natives.” Ogutu emphasized that maintaining high performance and responsible use of resources would ensure the program’s success.
- Infrastructure Benefits: Ogutu praised the engineers for timely completion within budget, adding that Kametho Primary School’s new facilities are designed to last for at least 100 years if well-maintained.
- Parental Support: Parents and the community were urged to be stewards of the facility, ensuring its longevity and effectiveness in enhancing academic performance.
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Siaya County Commissioner Nobert Komora, who also attended the event, encouraged teachers and parents to collaborate in enhancing Kametho Primary’s academic results. He asserted that with these new facilities, there was no excuse for underperformance.
In the past year, the Safaricom Mpesa Foundation invested KSh 35 million each to construct and refurbish Kametho and Oboch Primary Schools in Rarieda subcounty.
Govt Assures Readiness for Grade 8 to 9 Transition in January 2025.
