Stakeholders Raise Alarm on Grade 9 Transition Ahead of School Reopening.
As the 2025 school calendar approaches, education stakeholders and parents are raising concerns about the government’s readiness for the Grade 9 transition. Key issues revolve around infrastructure, teacher availability, and financial management in schools.
Education advocacy group, Elimu Yetu Coalition, has questioned the feasibility of constructing 16,000 classrooms for 1.5 million learners before the transition. The group noted that the unpreparedness could lead to disruptions.
Joseph Wasikhongo, the Elimu Yetu National Coordinator, expressed doubt that the government would complete these classrooms in time to ensure a smooth transition.
Join Teachers Updates on Facebook
Although the government recently reassured the public by allocating Ksh.11 billion for classroom construction, stakeholders remain skeptical.
They cited challenges in infrastructure and teacher deployment, especially in rural and marginalized areas, as critical barriers to the successful rollout of the Grade 9 curriculum.
Key Concerns:
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure | 16,000 classrooms needed for Grade 9 learners. |
| Teacher Deployment | Lack of subject-specific teachers in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). |
| Marginalized Regions | Schools in areas like Mandera lack connectivity, and pastoralist children miss classes. |
Funding and Capitation Issues
Frequent delays in disbursing capitation funds have further strained school management. Stakeholders claim that these delays compel headteachers to impose illegal levies on parents, creating financial burdens.
Wasikhongo emphasized the need for timely disbursement of capitation to prevent operational disruptions in schools.
Stakeholders also noted that such levies negatively impact students’ ability to complete the syllabus, with some schools losing valuable instructional time.
Julius Omogo, Elimu Yetu Coalition Homa Bay Representative, highlighted that these levies are unlawful and urged the government to address the issue urgently.
Inequalities in the Education Sector
Stakeholders pointed out significant inequalities in education, particularly in remote regions. They urged the government to prioritize infrastructure development and teacher recruitment to bridge the gap.
Proposed Actions:
- Recruiting more JSS teachers and ensuring subject-specific deployment.
- Providing schools with clear transition guidelines for Grade 9.
- Addressing infrastructure gaps in rural areas, especially in Mandera, where mobile schools are proposed to support pastoralist children during drought seasons.
“Our appeal to the government is to recruit more JSS teachers and deploy them according to subject combinations for Grade 9 schools,” Wasikhongo said.
Action Against Overcharging
The stakeholders also called on the government to take disciplinary measures against headteachers who overcharge parents through inflated school fees. These practices exacerbate existing financial pressures and hinder access to quality education.
ALSO READ: Daystar Ends Partnership with Israeli Embassy After Online Backlash
In summary, education stakeholders are urging the government to address key issues in infrastructure, teacher deployment, and financial management to ensure a smooth Grade 9 transition and equitable learning opportunities across Kenya.
Stakeholders Raise Alarm on Grade 9 Transition Ahead of School Reopening.
