The government is committed to constructing 16,000 Grade 9 classrooms nationwide by January 2025, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Ogamba announced that the Ministry of Education has already allocated funds for the construction of over 11,000 classrooms.
“We are expected to deliver 16,000 classrooms in total.
We have released Sh11 billion for 11,000 classes, while an additional Sh7.8 billion has been allocated to the National Government CDF for 5,000 classrooms,” he stated.
He made these remarks after laying the foundation for Grade 9 classrooms at St. Paul’s Primary and Junior Secondary School in Athi River, Machakos County, on Thursday.
Following this, Ogamba also visited Mua Farm Primary and JSS School and Muumandu Primary and JSS School in the Machakos subcounty, inspecting the ongoing construction of Grade 9 classrooms.
The CS emphasized the Ministry of Education’s collaboration with Members of Parliament to avoid duplication in classroom construction projects across various schools.
“If CDF is funding a project, we will not initiate a similar one.
Our goal is to have all classrooms ready by January,” he assured.
Additionally, Ogamba announced that the distribution of textbooks will begin on October 22 and conclude by December 15, 2024.
“We are retooling teachers, with almost 66,000 already prepared for junior schools. We want to ensure a smooth transition when January arrives,” he added.
The CS stated that the ministry is working diligently to meet infrastructure, book, and teacher requirements by the start of the academic year in January 2025.
He indicated that more teachers would be retrained in December to ensure a seamless transition to senior schools.
Ogamba clarified that the government’s efforts are based on a scientific assessment indicating the need for 16,000 classrooms to accommodate the learners transitioning to senior schools.
Plans also include constructing laboratories and libraries to equip students adequately.
Lastly, he addressed concerns about public perceptions regarding the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), affirming that the government is effectively managing the challenges in the education sector in collaboration with the TSC, National Treasury, and NGCDF.
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