The Ministry of Education is confident, but uncertainty remains for 1.5 million students. The government assures parents that Grade 8 learners will transition smoothly to Grade 9. However, some schools lack desks, classrooms, and textbooks, prompting headteachers to ask parents for financial contributions to classroom construction ahead of reopening.
A parent from one of the Primary Schools in Mombasa shared, “I received a letter from my daughter’s school asking us to donate money to construct Grade 9 classrooms. It is not fair; basic education should be free.” The letter asked parents to raise over Sh13.2 million for four classrooms, despite a ksh4 million allocation from the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning programme. The total cost rose to Sh17.2 million.
The Ministry of Education downplays these concerns, assuring that the transition will go smoothly.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang notes that the government built 13,200 new classrooms and recruited 20,000 intern teachers. “Previously, primary schools accommodated eight cohorts from Class One to 8. With Junior School now in primary schools, Grade 9 is an additional class,” he explained.
Dr. Kipsang also confirmed that 9.9 million Grade 9 textbooks have been printed, with 85% already distributed. By the weekend, all schools will receive their books. Regarding teachers, Dr. Kipsang emphasized the need for more teachers, with over 80,000 now in Junior Schools.
Also read: Education Ministry Confirms Timely Release of 2024 KCSE Results
