Principals Wants Grade Nine Transfer to Secondary Schools
Kenyan secondary school principals, represented by the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), have called upon the government to permit the initial batch of Grade Nine students to transfer to secondary schools rather than remaining in junior schools, which often lack adequate infrastructure.
The upcoming year marks a significant transition as the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will integrate the first Grade Nine class alongside junior secondary students (Grade Seven and Eight) within primary school premises.
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Expressing concern over the lack of readiness, Kessha emphasizes that the current primary schools designated for hosting these learners are ill-equipped, facing shortages in teachers, classrooms, and other essential facilities.
According to Willy Kuria, the national chairman of Kessha and chief principal of Muranga High School, “We feel that there is little learning in junior secondary. The introduction of Grade Nine into secondary school should be explored.”
Mr. Kuria’s appointment as the national chairman of Kessha was officially confirmed during a ceremony held at the Kenya Institute of Special Needs in Nairobi, following the retirement of Mr. Kahi Indimuli. His appointment, devoid of any opposition, signifies a unified vision among Kessha members to elevate the association’s stature.
During the confirmation event, Kessha members emphasized the need to address overcrowding in the nation’s over 23,000 public schools. Additionally, they stressed the importance of upholding the integrity of national examinations, condemning instances of cheating and urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) not to tie promotions solely to exam performance.
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The association also called upon the Ministry of Education to promptly release the outstanding capitation grants, expressing concern over the financial strain faced by schools due to delays in disbursement.
Regarding the eCitizen fee payment mode for national schools, Kessha criticized its implementation, asserting that it was introduced without adequate consultation with stakeholders. They advocate for its suspension, citing potential financial losses and operational disruptions in schools.
Mr. Kuria commended the TSC for its efforts in safeguarding teachers against public criticism concerning KCSE results.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, in a previous statement, affirmed that Grade Nine students would be accommodated in existing primary schools as part of the gradual transition away from the 8-4-4 system towards the 2-6-3-3-3 system, commonly known as CBC.
The implementation of the CBC, which commenced in 2017, marks a significant restructuring in Kenya’s education system, with the inaugural Grade Eight cohort entering junior secondary in January 2024, followed by Grade Nine in 2025.
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Principals Wants Grade Nine Transfer to Secondary Schools
