Schools Reopen Amid Grade 9 Transition Concerns
The newly implemented education system, Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), marks a crucial phase in replacing the 8-4-4 system, with focus on equipping learners with practical skills and competencies.
As schools across the country reopen for the first term of 2025, the education sector faces mounting concerns over the transitioning of Grade 8 learners to Grade 9, with rising questions on whether schools, parents, and Government agencies are adequately prepared.
The Government had pledged to construct more classrooms to ease the transition, but reports indicate that many schools still lack adequate infrastructure.
According to the education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang’ the ministry plans to use Ksh.16 billion to complete the construction of the classrooms, with 13,500 classes already completed out of the required 16,000.
“In some situations where the congestion will not allow we can have a multi-shift within the time where when there is a class doing outdoor activity then another group can be optimizing the classroom,” Kipsang noted adding that some classrooms will be congested for 30 days as the Ministry works on constructing more.
Additionally, there are worries about the availability of enough teaching staff to handle more advanced subjects.
Parents on the other hand are also expressing anxiety over the rising costs associated with the CBC system. From school fees to uniforms and the anticipated Grade 9 textbooks, many households are feeling the financial strain.
Despite assurances from the Ministry of Education that textbooks will be distributed on time, there remains uncertainty about whether all learners will receive the required materials before lessons commence.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is expected to play a critical role in this transition. However, some stakeholders have raised questions about the council’s capacity to handle the changing curriculum requirements effectively.
While CBC aims to offer a more holistic learning experience, critics still argue over its effectiveness.
As the new academic year begins, the focus is now on how the government, educators, and parents will address the immediate challenges to ensure a smooth transition for learners across the country.
