Senate Deputy Speaker Reveals Junior Secondary Rollout Blunder
On Tuesday, January 17th, Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi ascribed the uncertainty surrounding the government’s implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) to a last-minute decision to house junior secondary schools in existing primary schools.
According to him, the previous administration had anticipated and prepared for the transition of grade six graduates to secondary schools.
He stated that preparations for upgrading the systems in secondary schools had already begun in anticipation of the Grade 7 learners in 2023.
During an interview with Citizen TV, he noted that the government is facing a major challenge since in the previous fiscal year it injected money for classrooms and other facilities in secondary schools, but now the idea is for junior schools to be hosted in primary schools.
While reiterating that the CBC is pertinent to Kenyans’ needs, the Senator from Meru urged the national government to allocate more cash to primary schools to assist with preparations.
Murungi’s words were made at a time when the future of learners in a portion of public schools was unknown, as survey results suggested that a significant portion of public primary schools were unprepared for the transition.
The government of former President Uhuru Kenyatta had taken measures toward the implementation of CBC by constructing the necessary facilities and infrastructure in secondary schools.
Former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha supervised and personally examined the construction of junior secondary school classrooms.
However, the beginning of President Ruto’s administration altered the course of the preparations made after the education task force recommended that grades seven and eight be housed in the existing primary schools.
During a December 2022 meeting with members of parliament, the President and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua encouraged MPs to assist in the construction of necessary facilities in their respective districts.
CS Education Monday, January 16th, Ezekiel Machogu stated that the implementation of junior secondary schools was on track and slated for January 30.
After the placement procedure is complete, it is expected that sixth-graders will go to their respective junior high schools.
Senate Deputy Speaker Reveals Junior Secondary Rollout Blunder