President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his dedication to ensuring the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a success.
Addressing the nation at Wang'uru stadium in Kirinyaga County on Wednesday, October 20, during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, the Head of State noted that there was a looming crisis within the Ministry of Education as the first CBC cohort is preparing to transition to junior secondary (Grade 7).
He, therefore, ordered three ministries, Education under Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, Interior led by CS Fred Matiang’i and Treasury under CS Ukur Yatani, to establish a framework for the construction of over 10,000 classrooms.
“These structures are needed to provide the additional learning space for the 1 million new students set to join junior secondary,” he stated.
The Treasury was ordered to engage Parliament to appropriate Ksh8 billion towards the construction of classrooms
Local contractors near schools will be tasked with constructing the classrooms to provide further stimulus to the economy.
“The payments should be remitted directly to the contractors in the sub-counties. This initiative will tap into the skilled manpower of the counties empowering locals with enhanced opportunities,” he directed.
He urged Members of Parliament to allocate more Constituency Development Fund (CDF) money towards the construction of 10,000 more classes.
“We instituted reforms in the Education sector that led to the introduction of the CBC. We have two cohorts of children in pre-primary and five cohorts in primary schools who are the pioneers of this groundbreaking curriculum. The first lot has only a year to go before they join the junior secondary school or Grade 7. In total, we note that over 8.1 million children are now part of the program.
"As a caring government and one that appreciates the solemn duty of the state to prepare every child for their destiny, we shall continue enriching the program to ensure our children sharpen their talent. We shall ensure that we adequately prepare the country for the next phase, the junior high school,” he added.
