𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝟗 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As schools, learners, and guardians gear up for the first term of the education calendar, they have been assured of adequate classrooms, books, and teachers.

State Department for Basic Education, Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Belio Kipsang, says the government has been working round-the-clock to ensure a smooth reopening of schools.

The government has constructed additional classrooms in primary schools to accommodate Grade 8 learners transitioning to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

“As a government, in the last year we have been preparing ourselves so that we transition well,” stated the PS.

As per the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, the PS expounded that 93 per cent of Kenyans wanted their children to be in primary schools for Junior Secondary Education.

Since the introduction of CBC in the county in 2017, Dr. Kipsang said the transition has been smooth except for a few challenges which have been surmounted.

“Up to today, we have been able to supply books to every level of learning. From the day we started with Grade One up to Grade Nine. I want to confirm that Grade Nine books have all been printed; 9.9 million books have been printed,” stated the PS.

He added that 85 per cent of schools have already received the books, and distribution is ongoing in the remaining 14 per cent of schools.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝟗 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠’𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞

Construction of classrooms to host grade 9 Junior Secondary School learners in Murang’a is complete, the County Director of Education Ms. Ann Kiilu has confirmed.

Speaking on Friday when she commissioned four grade 9 classrooms at Technology Primary school the Director revealed that in phase one, the county was allocated 82 classrooms which already have been completed.

She added another that 172 classrooms which the county got in phase two are at 95 percent complete, assuring that come early next week when the learners will resume studies for term one, all classrooms will be ready for occupation.

“The remaining few classrooms are at the final stages and the contractors are currently doing finishes to ensure that when students resume their studies, the facilities will be ready for use,” she said.

Ms Kiilu added that in phase three, the county is allocated 30 classrooms which will be constructed from mid this month.

“All public primary schools will get a classroom and for now priority was given to schools with big enrolment for grade 9 and which did not have free classrooms,” she added.

The government, she revealed, has also equipped the classrooms with lockers from funds allocated for schools’ renovation, maintenance and improvement kitty.

“No parent is supposed to buy a locker as all classrooms have been equipped with the facilities. Books for grade 9 have also been distributed to all schools hosting junior secondary schools and I assure you that Murang’a is ready to roll out grade 9 come next week.” Remarked the director.

A total of 23, 018 learners in the county are expected to transit to grade 9 with Kiilu assuring more teachers have been deployed to handle the extra class.

“We thank the parents who have supported the classrooms project as this has ensured the classrooms were completed in time,” she noted.

Head teacher of the Technology primary school Ms. Beatrice Wachira lauded the government for enabling her school to get four new classrooms for grade 9.

“We have 168 students in this school who are joining grade nine and our parents have also supported us as they have done the foundation of the classrooms to complement the money we got from the ministry of education.

“The foundation was done in a way that we can do storey building in future for more classrooms. Our school has also received books both textbooks and exercise books for our learners.” She added.

Dr. Belio Kipsang has stepped down from the Education Ministry as Professor Julius Kibet Bitok officially takes over as the new Principal Secretary for Basic Education.

Prof. Bitok succeeds Dr. Kipsang, who has been reassigned to the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services at a pivotal moment for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which is undergoing significant changes.

During a handover meeting on Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba welcomed the new PS and emphasized the importance of his role in ensuring quality education for students.

“The sector has complete confidence in you. I look forward to your contributions to this field to effectively serve our students, and we will support you,” he stated.

Dr. Kipsang, who has dedicated 29 years to the education sector, assured Prof. Bitok of a strong foundation, especially in managing the transition of junior school students to senior school in January 2026.

“I have faith in him; he can successfully oversee the remaining aspects of Competency-Based Education (CBE). I am confident in Prof. Bitok’s capability to handle the final stages of the system,” Dr. Kipsang remarked.

Now leading Immigration and Citizen Services, Dr. Kipsang humorously invited his colleagues to visit him at his new post.

“You can come to Nyayo House for your ID cards and other travel documents,” he said, reflecting on his ten years of service as PS in the Ministry of Education.

This transition occurs amidst ongoing discussions about the implementation of CBC and the government’s higher education funding model, which was recently deemed unconstitutional by the High Court.

As Prof. Bitok begins his role, he faces a system still grappling with challenges, including public concerns regarding CBC implementation, teacher readiness, and school infrastructure.