As Kenya prepares to transition the pioneer cohort of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) into Grade 9 the final year of Junior School the government faces the critical challenge of meeting its promise to construct 11,000 new classrooms by December 2024. This ambitious project aims to accommodate the more than 1.3 million learners currently in Grade 8 and ensure a smooth progression when schools reopen in January 2025.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced on November 14 that the government had allocated KSh 17.6 billion for the completion of these classrooms. This figure, he stated, would be sufficient to cover 16,000 classrooms, surpassing the immediate target. Furthermore, the decentralized nature of the project is intended to spur economic growth at the grassroots level, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.
The project, however, has faced significant scrutiny and skepticism. In response to criticism from Catholic bishops, who accused the government of fostering a culture of unfulfilled promises, Ogamba reassured stakeholders that progress was on track. Former Education CS George Magoha had earlier implemented cost-cutting measures, reducing the construction cost per classroom from KSh 1.2 million to KSh 788,000. This adjustment was aimed at optimizing resource use, ensuring more classrooms could be built within the same budget.
Despite these measures, concerns linger. By November, Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang reported that 3,500 classrooms had been completed under phase one, with an additional 7,500 classrooms in various stages of completion in phase two. Kipsang expressed confidence that the remaining classrooms would be ready by December 15, allowing the government to meet its initial target.
In addition to government efforts, Members of Parliament (MPs) were tasked with constructing another 7,000 classrooms through conditional grants totaling KSh 6.8 billion. Development partners also contributed KSh 2 billion for an additional 2,000 classrooms, expected to be completed by January. If successful, these efforts could bring the total number of new classrooms to 20,000, far exceeding the immediate requirement.
However, critics have questioned the logic of constructing thousands of classrooms in primary schools while secondary schools face reduced enrollment pressures. With no Form 1 cohort expected in 2025 due to the CBC transition, some stakeholders argue that Grade 9 learners could have been accommodated in existing high school facilities.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform countered this suggestion, citing extensive public consultations that revealed parents’ preference for retaining Grade 9 learners in primary schools. This decision was rooted in concerns over the young age of the learners and the belief that the primary school environment typically composed of day schools would allow for greater parental engagement and emotional support.
President William Ruto has sought to reassure parents and stakeholders, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for Grade 9 learners. Speaking in October, he reiterated the importance of planning for the country’s youth, stating, “The future of our children is important for us as parents and as a nation.”
As December approaches, the race to meet construction targets remains intense. While government assurances offer hope, the logistical and financial challenges of completing such a massive project in record time have left many on edge. Whether Kenya can achieve this ambitious goal and set a precedent for future CBC transitions remains a question of national importance. The outcome will not only determine the success of the current transition but also shape the broader narrative of education reform in Kenya.
