Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced the construction of over 14,000 classrooms across Kenya within the past three months. The move aims to facilitate the seamless transition of students from primary schools to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking on Tuesday at Uthiru Primary School in Nairobi County, Ogamba highlighted that 14,500 out of the 16,000 classrooms required for Grade 9 students are now complete. This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to improving the learning environment for students navigating the CBC framework, which was officially introduced in January 2023.
In addition to classrooms, the Ministry of Education is focusing on science and technology by planning the construction of 1,600 science laboratories in JSS institutions. These labs are expected to enhance the practical application of science subjects, ensuring students gain hands-on experience essential for their education.
To address the chronic textbook shortage reported since the CBC’s implementation, Ogamba revealed that over 9.9 million textbooks have been printed and distributed to schools nationwide. The provision ensures that each student has access to their own textbooks across all subjects, relieving parents of the financial burden of purchasing learning materials.
“Each student will have their own textbook across all the subjects. Parents should never have to buy books; that is the government’s work,” said Ogamba, reiterating the government’s resolve to fully support students’ educational needs.
The Cabinet Secretary also urged parents to register their children with the Social Health Authority (SHA), a new public healthcare system introduced to provide comprehensive health coverage. Acknowledging the challenges that have plagued the SHA since its inception, Ogamba assured parents that efforts are underway to streamline the system and enhance its functionality.
“Every new thing has its challenges, but we are working to make sure SHA is fully working. Do not let these challenges make you not register your children because this cover will help them in the future,” he emphasized.
This ambitious initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal to strengthen education infrastructure and improve access to quality education for all Kenyan students. With these measures, the Ministry of Education is poised to tackle existing gaps, ensuring that no student is left behind in the transition to the CBC system.
