Education Cabinet Secretary, George Omore Magoha, has announced a ten-day extension for Grade Six students to select Junior Secondary Schools they would like to be placed in.
Speaking on Saturday, August 27, after inspecting the ongoing works in some schools in Kiambu county, Magoha stated that the new deadline is September 10. Before the extension, students were required to make their selection by August 30.
Defending his decision, the Education Cabinet Secretary explained that the August 9 polls and delayed resumption of school necessitated the postponement.
"We have done extremely well in registering our children in Grade Six in regards to selections. We have interfered with some dates which made the exercise to start late," Magoha stated.
"We have also had hiccups and we will also have hiccups in some areas. So as the government, we have decided to extend the final school selection with 10 more days. By September 10, if your child has not selected a school, then it is up to you."
According to the Ministry of Education, Grade Six students are expected to pick 12 schools for Junior Secondary institutions.
The circular released by the Ministry indicated that the students are required to pick national, regional, county, sub-county, and private schools.
Magoha further instructed students to pick two in each category for national, regional and private schools.
"Parents will be expected to meet the student's education in private school," read the circular in part.
"The majority of the students in private schools who usually do very well will remain in their schools. Probably in the coming week, I shall pronounce myself on the number of primary schools that have converted and are ready."
To ensure principals adhere to the timelines, the government released a list of schools in each category.
Some will be domiciled in the existing primary schools to enable transition following the CBC guidelines. At the moment, the government is constructing schools across the country to accommodate the students.
Grade Six students are expected to join Junior Secondary Schools in January 2023 after sitting the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in November.
