Gov't races against time to ensure smooth Grade 9 transition to senior school

The Ministry of Education is fast-tracking plans for the transition of Grade 9 learners to senior secondary school in January.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that senior school categorization is complete, with transition guidelines to follow after a nationwide stakeholder engagement launched on Friday.

The ministry also plans to fund the construction of 1,600 laboratories starting in July. 

CS Ogamba spoke after education stakeholders convened in Machakos for the launch of the national county dialogues on education reforms, as he led the talks to track the implementation of competency-based education.

"We are here to update stakeholders on the status of competency-based education implementation; provide a platform for stakeholders’ participation in the validation of senior school guidelines, appraise stakeholders on teacher recruitment and capacity building, and receive feedback from stakeholders on the implementation of CBE," he said.

The forum takes place less than 10 months before the first cohort of Grade 9 learners transition to senior secondary school amidst unclear transition guidelines.

"That is why we are meeting here to discuss a proper roadmap and plans for a smooth transition. We plan on gathering views from all stakeholders, and by the end of these dialogues, we will be able to communicate the issue of school categorization to the public," he added.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang revealed that all schools will be required to offer learning areas for at least two career pathways, with a strong emphasis on the science pathway. Plans for infrastructural development, he says, are on course.

"Categorization has been done already, and it is based on the type of school—whether girls' or boys', day or boarding—and the pathways. We will issue details once the guidelines are out," Kipsang stated.

"By July, we will be mobilizing resources to build laboratories. We have discovered that about 1,600 schools do not have labs, and they must be built before the transition."

The assurance comes amid lingering concerns over the perennial challenge of delayed capitation disbursements to schools—a financial strain that has left parents shouldering an increasing burden to keep learning institutions running.

"While I totally understand the financial challenges schools are undergoing, I wish to announce that the government is doing everything possible to release resources to schools. I, therefore, urge schools to be a little patient as we work round the clock to release the necessary capitation in line with our scheduled plans," said CS Ogamba.

Kicking off on Friday and running until March 13, 2025, the dialogue series will bring together stakeholders from all 47 counties, fostering nationwide engagement on critical education reforms.