Primary School Head Teachers Warn of Crisis in Grade 9 Transition.
Kenya’s education sector faces a potential crisis as head teachers raise concerns about the government’s delay in delivering over 16,000 classrooms required for Grade 9 students in January 2025.
The Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association has cautioned that if the classrooms are not completed within the next 60 days, overcrowding in primary schools may worsen, hindering the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition for Grade 9, the final stage of junior secondary education.
With just under two months remaining before the 2025 school year, primary school head teachers have urged the government to expedite classroom construction.
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The association’s members have reported significant congestion in current Grade 8 classrooms, leading to fears that Grade 9 could face similar overcrowding if new classrooms are not ready on time.
Government’s Response and Budgetary Concerns
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei acknowledged the need for rapid infrastructure development, noting that each classroom should cost around KES 1 million.
However, many head teachers argue that the budget is insufficient, given the high costs of materials.
They recommend an upward revision of the budget to meet classroom needs more effectively, citing instances where the current allocation has strained resources and limited classroom completion.
In addition to infrastructure, head teachers are demanding salary adjustments to reflect their increased responsibilities in managing junior secondary schools.
They also highlighted a shortage of textbooks and learning materials, with available resources falling short of the data collected and projected requirements.
Government’s Assurance
Koskei indicated that the government is actively working to address these gaps and ensure that Grade 9 classrooms are ready for the new school term.
He mentioned recent inspections in Mombasa and Kilifi, where some classrooms are reportedly prepared for use in January. However, head teachers remain concerned about whether all facilities will meet the January deadline.
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The head teachers have urged the government to act swiftly, warning that any delays could disrupt the CBC’s progression, impacting thousands of students set to transition to Grade 9.
Primary School Head Teachers Warn of Crisis in Grade 9 Transition
