The Kenyan government is set to spend Ksh 218 million to construct 218 Grade 9 classrooms in Nyeri County, as part of its larger initiative under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This development comes as the country prepares to accommodate the first cohort of Grade 9 learners, who are expected to transition in January 2025. The Nyeri County Director of Education, Jane Njogu, has confirmed that the construction is being undertaken in two phases to ensure that the needs of these learners are met in time.
This move is part of the government’s broader plan to build 18,000 classrooms across the country, providing adequate infrastructure for the over 1.3 million learners currently in Grade 8 who will transition to Grade 9 next year. The rollout of these classrooms signals the government’s commitment to enhancing the learning environment for students and ensuring that CBC is well-supported with the necessary physical infrastructure.
Phased Construction Approach in Nyeri
In Nyeri County, the classroom construction project is divided into two phases. During the first phase, 66 classrooms are being constructed, and this phase is already well underway. According to Njogu, the first phase is expected to be completed before the end of 2024, with most schools showing significant progress.
“We are at 52 percent completion in the first phase,” Njogu stated. “In schools like Chaka Primary, the classrooms are already roofed. Apart from four classrooms that are still at the slab level, all the others have reached the walling stage. We are confident that the project will be completed ahead of schedule.”
The remaining 152 classrooms will be built during the second phase, which is expected to commence soon. These will be spread across 128 primary schools in Nyeri, strategically located to ensure even distribution based on student population and the needs of individual schools.
Classroom Allocation Based on Enrollment
The Ministry of Education has been meticulous in selecting which schools will benefit from the new classrooms. The primary criterion for selection has been student enrollment numbers. According to the Ministry’s guidelines, a school must have at least 45 students enrolled to be registered as a Junior Secondary School under the CBC.
For schools with a single stream of students transitioning to Grade 9, a single classroom will be constructed. However, for larger schools with multiple streams, additional classrooms will be allocated based on the student population. This ensures that schools with higher enrollment are adequately supported, and no student is left without proper learning facilities.
Njogu explained that this enrollment-based approach is vital to the success of the project. “We want to ensure that the schools with the greatest needs are prioritized, and that students transitioning to Grade 9 have access to modern, conducive learning environments,” she said.
Government’s Commitment to Education Infrastructure
The construction of these classrooms in Nyeri is part of the government’s larger initiative to improve the country’s education infrastructure, especially as it transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum. Since its introduction, the CBC has required significant changes in how education is delivered, from teaching methods to curriculum design, and now, physical infrastructure.
With over 1.3 million learners currently in Grade 8, the pressure on the government to provide adequate infrastructure is immense. The CBC model requires more personalized and hands-on learning, meaning that classrooms must be adequately equipped and spacious enough to accommodate diverse learning activities.
Education experts have lauded the government’s commitment to ensuring that CBC succeeds. “Building these classrooms is a critical step in ensuring that learners under the CBC system have the best possible environment to learn and grow,” said a local education analyst. “It’s encouraging to see that the government is not only focusing on curriculum content but also on the infrastructure that will support the delivery of this curriculum.”
Impact on Local Communities
Beyond its direct benefit to learners, the construction of these classrooms is expected to have a ripple effect on local communities in Nyeri. The construction work has created jobs for local contractors and laborers, injecting much-needed economic activity into the region. Additionally, the improved school infrastructure is expected to raise the standard of education in Nyeri, attracting more students and enhancing the overall performance of schools in the county.
Parents and local leaders have expressed optimism about the project. “This is a great initiative by the government,” said one parent from Chaka. “Our children will now have access to better facilities, and this will motivate them to perform better in school.”
Local leaders have also been vocal in their support of the project, urging the government to continue its focus on improving education infrastructure across the country. “We are pleased with the progress being made in Nyeri,” said a local MP. “However, there is still much work to be done, and we hope that the government will continue to prioritize education as a key pillar of development.”
Future Outlook
With the CBC set to fully roll out across the country in the coming years, the government’s focus on infrastructure development is expected to intensify. The construction of 18,000 classrooms nationwide is just the beginning, and additional investments will likely be needed to ensure that all learners benefit from the CBC.
In Nyeri, the completion of the second phase of construction will mark a significant milestone in the county’s education sector. The new classrooms will provide a much-needed boost to local schools, ensuring that the pioneer cohort of Grade 9 learners is well-equipped to thrive in their new learning environment.
As the government continues to implement the CBC, the success of projects like this will be critical in determining the long-term viability of the new education system. For now, however, the people of Nyeri can look forward to a brighter future for their students, with modern classrooms set to open their doors in 2025.
