The Kenyan government has announced options available to ensure that Grade 6 pupils transition seamlessly to junior secondary.
According to the Ministry of Education, over 1.2 million pupils will be seeking to join junior secondary in 2023.
Despite the lack of existing infrastructure, especially in the availability of science laboratories to accommodate that transition, the government has suggested the following options.
Conversion of classes
The Ministry of Education is considering converting existing classrooms to laboratories, listed as one of the issues that affected students' growth under the defunct 8-4-4 system.
The conversion of existing classrooms will ensure junior secondary students are domiciled in primary schools.
Sharing of laboratories
Another option the government is assessing is sharing laboratories between junior secondary and existing secondary schools.
While junior secondary students will be domiciled in primary schools, they will attend nearby secondary schools for science practicals.
Construction of new labs
If the two options are deemed not feasible, the government will fast-track the construction of new science laboratories in primary schools.
This will be done within a year to ensure a 100 per cent transition in January 2024.
President William Ruto allayed parents' fears that the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) may be abolished.
“I believe as a country; it was the right decision to transition from 8-4-4 to CBC education system.”
“There are some challenges being faced on the transition but as a government, we will make sure that everything is perfected in the fullness of time,” the President announced on January 4, 2023.
