If the recent changes that have been proposed by the Ministry of Education are put into effect, it is possible that parents would incur further financial strain.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has advocated for students entering Grade Six to begin their Junior Secondary education at private institutions rather than the original public schools that they attended up until that point. This change is scheduled to take place in 2023.
Magoha explained that this was after most private schools followed the ministry’s directive to adopt the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Parents will thus pay fees as stipulated by the private schools.
The issue of the government offering to move along with the private schools was a way of encouraging them to expand inclusivity in the transitioning period of the competency-based curriculum,” he stated.
Private schools have not only built a large number of classrooms, but also laboratories with all the necessary tools for teaching and learning.
“We had encouraged the primary schools, especially in the urban areas to upgrade into junior high schools and a large number has done so and we are looking to get between 3000 and 4000 classrooms from there,” the CS remarked.
He tasked the government to continue with the construction of other pending classrooms in various schools.
“20,000 classrooms are available, it is the duty of the incoming government to ensure the remaining 20,000 classrooms are constructed,” Magoha stated.
In addition, the CS said that because this change is unprecedented and the first of its kind in Kenya, it is possible that the portal would not be available in the years to come.
“Private schools would only come to the portal when they have conformed, since they are businesses, you can’t force them,” he remarked.
On Monday, August 15, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) opened the portal for Grade 6 students to choose their Junior Secondary Schools.
