The Kenyan government has allocated over Ksh 1.2 billion for the construction of 1,243 classrooms in the Western region, aimed at accommodating Grade Nine students under the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The funds have been disbursed to schools in Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga counties, marking a significant step in the ongoing education reforms designed to support the CBC implementation.
Urgent Need for Infrastructure
The transition to the CBC has highlighted the urgent need for additional infrastructure in schools across the country. The government, recognizing this necessity, embarked on a project to construct 16,000 classrooms nationwide by January of the following year. Of these, 9,000 classrooms are being financed by the World Bank at a cost of Ksh 9 billion. The remaining classrooms will be funded by the Kenyan government, with Ksh 1.2 billion already earmarked for the Western region.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that CBC learners have the necessary facilities to support their education. The project has been divided into two phases, with the first phase already underway and the second phase scheduled to commence in October.
Distribution of Classrooms
Kakamega County, with its high student population, has received the largest allocation, amounting to 506 classrooms. The first phase of construction will see 81 classrooms built, with an additional 425 classrooms planned for the second phase. The Regional Director of Education, Jared Obiero, officially launched the construction works in several schools, including Kakamega Primary School, which will benefit from 12 new classrooms.
Vihiga County has been allocated 170 classrooms, with 55 currently under construction and another 115 set to be built in the second phase. Meanwhile, Bungoma and Busia counties will receive 366 and 201 classrooms, respectively.
Monitoring and Oversight
The construction process is being closely monitored by Schools’ Boards of Management (BoMs) and Infrastructure Committees to ensure that the work is completed to the required standards and within the allocated budget. Each classroom is being constructed at a uniform cost of Ksh 1 million across the country. The government expects all construction to be completed within three months, allowing ample time for the second phase to commence immediately after.
Jared Obiero confirmed that the government has already transferred the funds to the respective schools’ bank accounts. He also mentioned that additional classrooms will be constructed under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), which is managed by Members of Parliament (MPs). In the Western region alone, the NG-CDF will fund the construction of an additional 3,500 classrooms.
“The ministry has issued guidelines, and MPs will be expected to fund construction in schools not covered by the Ministry of Education,” Obiero said. He further noted that all infrastructure budgets must be approved by the BoMs, with education officials tasked with ensuring that contractors adhere to the provided specifications.
Concerns Over Corruption
Despite the government’s efforts, the project has not been without controversy. Union leaders in the region have expressed concerns about the way contracts have been awarded. Tom Ingolo, the chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Kakamega Central, criticized the decision to award the construction contract for the sub-county to a single builder, rather than distributing the work among local contractors. This, he argued, has led to dissatisfaction among local builders who feel sidelined by the process.
Conclusion
As the construction of classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools in Western Kenya progresses, the government’s efforts to meet the infrastructure demands of the CBC are commendable. However, the concerns raised by union leaders highlight the need for transparency and fairness in the allocation of contracts. Ensuring that local contractors are involved in the process could not only foster goodwill but also contribute to the local economy. The success of this project will be a crucial step in supporting the CBC and improving the quality of education for Kenyan students.
