High CBC Classrooms Costs, Underfunding Threatens To Delay CBC Project
The construction of classrooms in preparation for the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) in junior secondary schools next year is in jeopardy as some contractors abandon the projects citing high construction material costs and underfunding.
Principals and contractors who spoke with the Nation revealed that the funds allocated in phase one were insufficient, complicating the situation in phase two.
The construction of classrooms in preparation for the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) in junior secondary schools next year is in jeopardy as some contractors abandon the projects citing high construction material costs and underfunding.
Principals and contractors who spoke with the Nation revealed that the funds allocated in phase one were insufficient, complicating the situation in phase two.
Some contractors claimed they had not been paid for phase one, which they claimed would cause delays in the second phase, while others expressed concern that the project would be terminated if a new government was elected after the election.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha stated that the ministry intends to build a total of 10,000 classrooms by the end of July. So far, however, only 6,495 have been completed.
Construction has yet to begin in Molo sub-county, with principals claiming that adding one or two classrooms in each school will not suffice to address the infrastructure shortage.
Contractors in Samburu County have expressed financial hardship.
“Most classrooms within Maralal and Samburu Central area are complete because it’s less costly, unlike in Samburu North and East. In my own view, the government should have increased the amount to at least Sh1 million per classroom,” said a contractor who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal.
Only three of the 105 classrooms in Vihiga County are complete. Hellen Nyang’au, county education director, stated that the second phase will focus on the remaining schools.
Approximately 200 classrooms in the Rift Valley remain unfinished. Only 1,505 of the 1,737 classrooms have been completed thus far.
According to the region’s director of education, Jared Obiero, Nandi and Bomet have achieved 100% completion, with Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Samburu at 80%.
Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri stated that some contractors, particularly in drought-stricken Laikipia North, were forced to ferry water from other parts of the county to ensure on-time delivery.
In Narok County, approximately 108 of the 125 classrooms have been completed. “We have some contractors who applied for the tender but did not have the financial capacity,” said county commissioner Isaac Masinde. The administrator gave the affected contractors two weeks to complete the projects or their contracts would be terminated.
The contractor stopped working two months ago, according to a senior teacher at Mulaha Secondary School in Siaya County who requested anonymity.
All 159 classrooms in Kisumu County have been built, but some schools had to dig into their pockets for extra funds to complete the project. “We advised schools to collaborate with the contractors by offering the necessary financial support,” said county director of education Peter Munene.
Ombaka Secondary School principal James Momanyi stated that the CBC classroom assigned to his school can only accommodate a quarter of the expected population. The school in Nyando sub-county anticipates admitting the majority of students from neighboring primary schools.
211 of the 252 classrooms in Homa Bay County have been completed. County Commissioner Moses Lilan stated that the remaining classrooms will be renovated.
211 of the 252 classrooms in Homa Bay County have been completed. The remaining classrooms, according to County Commissioner Moses Lilan, will be handed over in the coming weeks. The county’s government had originally planned to build 293 classrooms.
Kisii County had completed 242 classrooms by last week. The county received 243 classrooms.
Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi of Murang’a County said the Sh788,000 blanket ceiling is limiting quality.
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According to a report by the county government projects coordination committee, 25% of CBC projects had been abandoned by the end of February.
Murang’a leads the central region with 219 completed classrooms, followed by Kiambu at 98% with 186 completed classrooms and Kirinyaga at 92% with 101 completed classrooms.
Milton Nzioki, regional director of education, told the Nation that there have only been a few cases of stalemates due to a lack of funds.
High CBC Classrooms Costs, Underfunding Threatens To Delay CBC Project
