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 underway.
In cases of extreme congestion, the Ministry plans to adopt multi-shift schedules. This strategy involves alternating classroom usage by having one group of learners participate in outdoor activities while another group utilizes the classroom.
Kipsang explained that this arrangement aims to optimize available space during the transition period.
Funding and Progress on Classroom Construction
To address the classroom deficit, the Ministry has allocated Ksh.16 billion for the construction of new classrooms. Out of the required 16,000 classrooms, 13,500 have already been completed.
The Ministry itself has constructed 11,000 classrooms, while the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has contributed an additional 3,000. The remaining classrooms are expected to be completed soon to meet the demand.
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In addition to classrooms, the Ministry has distributed 9.9 million textbooks to various primary schools that host Grade 9 classes.
However, the availability of teachers remains a pressing concern. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has posted 46,000 teachers who were previously on internships, along with another 20,000 teachers.
Despite these efforts, Kipsang emphasized that the number of teachers is still insufficient and called for additional recruitment to align with the growing student population.
Broader Challenges with CBC Implementation
The rollout of Junior Secondary School (JSS) under CBC has been fraught with challenges, including limited funding, unpreparedness, and sudden adjustments to subject clusters.
These issues have raised doubts about the government’s readiness to accommodate Grade 9 learners in 2025. Persistent concerns about inadequate facilities and teaching staff have fueled fears among stakeholders.
Read Also: School Principals Charge Extra Fees Outside Guidelines, Cite Funding Shortages
While the Ministry continues to make strides in addressing these challenges, the success of the Grade 9 rollout will depend on timely completion of infrastructure projects and the recruitment of more teachers to support the CBC framework.
Ministry of Education Admits Challenges Pioneer Grade 9 Rollout.
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