Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, has allayed fears of a looming crisis when schools reopen countrywide for a new academic calendar. He dismissed reports that the schools are ill-prepared to handle Grade 9 transition.
While speaking to members of the press, Ogamba allayed fears among parents and teachers regarding the matter.
“The transition will take place, and whatever challenges arise, we will be prepared to handle them. Infrastructure, which is the main concern, will be addressed, and we will provide figures and an indication of when we are likely to complete the construction,” the Education CS clarified.
Regarding the availability of teachers in preparation for the transition of Grade 9 learners, Ogamba noted that the retooling of teachers is ongoing, the recruitment of 20,000 teachers by the government is underway, and 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers have been placed on permanent and pensionable terms.
He added that the distribution of textbooks at a 1:1 ratio is in progress and will be completed by December 15.
Government Assures Public that it will ensure smooth transitioning of Grade 9 learners
His sentiments were echoed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, who stated that the construction of 11,000 classrooms is currently underway countrywide in preparation for Grade 9 learners. The government has allocated KSH 9 billion for the construction of classrooms.
“I want to assure the public that by January, as a Ministry, we will be able to accommodate all children transitioning to Grade 9. We will also have retooled teachers, distributed textbooks to schools, and constructed classrooms. The government has already deployed 20,000 teachers to support the transition of Grade 9 learners,” Kipsang said.
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According to a recent statement by the Ministry of Education, the annual capitation for Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers has been finalized at Ksh 15.3 billion.
This funding will be allocated to 20,314 junior schools in preparation for the reopening in January 2025.
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About Junior Secondary School
The Ministry of Education’s statement comes after a local daily published a report in which school heads cited issues such as understaffing of teachers in JSS schools, inadequate classrooms, and delays in the disbursement of capitation funds, which make the transition of Grade 9 learners seem like a pipe dream to achieve.
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Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Kenya is part of the country’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system, which was introduced in December 2017. JSS covers grades 7 to 9 and serves as a bridge between primary and secondary education for students aged 12 to 14 years.
According to The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, established by President William Ruto, the taskforce recommended JSS to be part of primary schools.
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