Fear as the ministry is unable to provide resources for students in Grade 9.
In January 2025, Grade 9 students nationwide will be enrolled in junior secondary schools for the first time, but stakeholders are concerned.
They are concerned about the Ministry of Education’s readiness to receive the students because no resources have been made available for these Grade 8 students.
Desks and chairs, restrooms, labs, and teachers are among the resources needed; however, the government has only announced plans to provide classrooms.
Headteachers claim that although building has not yet started, the government has committed to provide classrooms before the end of the year.
Headteacher Bernard Oliech of Akele Primary School in Homa Bay County told the Star that in order to accommodate students in Grade 9, he will require an additional two classrooms by 2025.
Oliech claimed that although they were not told when the funding would be available, the government had advised them to hold off on building the classrooms until they received development monies.
Oliech did, however, voice some hope.
“Building a classroom can take two months. The money availability is the problem. As soon as the money is available, we can quickly build the classes. We’re only concerned about the money,” he remarked.
The head teacher stated that they are planning to have a laboratory attached to the classes.
“My students still have to go to a nearby secondary school to use a laboratory for science classes,” he stated.
“Additionally, we seriously need a lot of desks, chairs and even adequate pit latrines.”
According to Hassan Farah, chair of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association for Northeastern, the region typically lacks facilities that are suitable for use by arriving Grade 9 students.
“However, the government declared that building would begin shortly. For the initial round of classroom building, three schools in each zone have been selected,” he stated.
Farah stated that laboratories are just as necessary for schools as classrooms. Sanitation facilities are currently needed by many, as the recent floods wrecked them.
Additionally, winds have wrecked the majority of school restrooms. We therefore really require that facility,” Farah stated.
He also mentioned that Northeastern lacks specialized teachers.
“The majority of the educators assigned to this region do not have a background in STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics). Social sciences, not STEM, make up the majority of the teachers’ training here. STEM educators are needed.
A head teacher in Kiambu County, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that enrolling students without proper facilities will be difficult.
“Keep in mind that the government frequently sends us letters cautioning us not to ask parents for further money. So, to whom should we turn if all the required resources are not made available?” He made a pose.
He stated that three more classrooms and an extra laboratory are required for his college.
The Kiambu teacher remarked, “We have one lab, but learners will increase in population next year; we need more.”
Leonard Walumbe, the headmaster of St. Joseph Kizito in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, stated that the state must supply additional resources because some were destroyed in the most recent floods.
Walumbe remarked, “Like we have one classroom that needs repairs.”
According to him, the school only needs one classroom to serve students in Grade 9.
Nairobi County experienced a similar issue, with a school head who also requested anonymity stating that she anticipates receiving four classrooms from the government.
A dedicated builder can complete high-quality classrooms in three months if the funding is obtained in a timely manner. Thus, while we are not in a panic just yet, the government must act quickly.”
She continued, “Some parents have also expressed concern over the matter.”
“They have been questioning me about why, because of a shortage of form ones, Grade 9 students cannot go to secondary schools in 2025 where there will be sufficient resources. However, that is not for me to decide,” she remarked.
It has been mandated by the Ministry of Education that JSS students reside in elementary schools.
Classrooms will be made available by the ministry by January, according to Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang.
“By January, when our schools reopen, 16,000 classrooms will be available to teach Grade 9 students. This is a duty that the government will see to it that is fulfilled, Belio stated.
According to the PS, it’s critical that students are in a supportive setting.
“Starting the adventure, which we have, is the most crucial thing. We have initiated the process by guaranteeing the presence of classrooms. We’ll travel the entire trip and eventually access additional resources.”
The government is also dedicated to providing human resources to guarantee high-quality education.
“We plan to hire 20,000 teachers in the upcoming fiscal year, which will greatly aid us in executing the junior school curriculum,” Belio stated.
The ministry is short of 15,021 classrooms that are scheduled to house the first class of Grads 9 students in 2025, according to information disclosed by CS Ezekiel Machogu on March 20.
A distinct perspective is held by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers. Teachers are the most important resource that should be made available to schools, according to Secretary General Akelo Misori.
He asserted that everything is wrong if students lack professors.
“What we’re arguing is that without teachers in the classroom, we cannot receive an education, so the government ought to hire teachers. We don’t need laboratories, but we do need teachers. That is the initial solution to the resource problems, according to Misori.
According to the Kuppet representative, the curriculum’s creators are aware of the types of educators required to carry it out.
“TSC must rationalise how to post those teachers to ensure learners have the teachers they need,” Misori stated.
Seven years after its launch, parents are hoping that CBC is gaining traction, according to National Parents Association Chair Silas Obuhatsa.
Fear as the ministry is unable to provide resources for students in Grade 9.
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