Stakeholders Question Ministry of Education’s Preparedness for Grade 9 Enrollment
In January 2025, Junior Secondary Schools will enroll Grade 9 learners nationwide for the first time, but there is widespread apprehension among stakeholders.
The concern centers on the Ministry of Education‘s preparedness, as essential resources have yet to be provided for the current Grade 8 students who will transition to Grade 9.
Key resources required include desks, chairs, sanitation facilities, laboratories, and teachers. However, the government has only announced plans to provide classrooms.
Headteachers have expressed concerns about the delay in classroom construction.
Bernard Oliech, headteacher of Akele Primary School in Homa Bay County, mentioned that the government promised classrooms before year-end, but construction has not started.
Oliech highlighted the need for two additional classrooms for 2025 and noted that the government advised waiting for development funds without specifying when they would be available.
He expressed cautious optimism, indicating that classrooms could be built within two months once funds are available but stressed the need for laboratories, desks, chairs, and adequate sanitation facilities.
Hassan Farah, chairperson of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association for Northeastern, reported a lack of facilities for incoming Grade 9 learners in the region.
He stated that while the government promised imminent construction, specific schools have been identified for the first phase.
Farah emphasized the need for not only classrooms but also laboratories and sanitation facilities, especially after recent floods and winds destroyed many toilets.
He also highlighted a shortage of specialized STEM teachers in the region, with most current teachers trained in Social Sciences.
In Kiambu County, an anonymous headteacher expressed concerns about enrolling learners without adequate facilities and mentioned restrictions on collecting extra funds from parents.
The institution needs three classrooms and an additional laboratory due to anticipated increased enrollment.
In Kakamega County’s Ikolomani area, Leonard Walumbe, headteacher of St. Joseph Kizito, also called for more resources, citing flood damage. He mentioned the need for one more classroom to accommodate Grade 9 learners.
Similarly, a school head in Nairobi County, who also requested anonymity, is expecting four classrooms from the government.
She noted that timely funding would enable rapid construction and added that some parents are concerned about the decision to keep Grade 9 learners in primary schools rather than transferring them to secondary schools with more resources.
The Ministry of Education has reiterated that Junior Secondary School learners will remain in primary schools.
Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang stated that 16,000 classrooms would be provided by January and emphasized the importance of a conducive learning environment.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to recruiting 20,000 teachers in the next financial year to support the junior school curriculum.
CS Ezekiel Machogu revealed that 15,021 classrooms are still needed for the first cohort of Grade 9 learners in 2025.
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Akelo Misori, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, stressed the need for more teachers, arguing that teachers are the most critical resource.
He called for the rationalization of teacher postings to ensure adequate staffing for the new curriculum.
National Parents Association Chair Silas Obuhatsa expressed hope that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), rolled out seven years ago, is gaining traction.
Stakeholders Question Ministry of Education’s Preparedness for Grade 9 Enrollment
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