CBC Classrooms Gets Sh4bn Lifeline Boost.
The allocation of Sh4 billion for classroom construction has given hope to the Competency-Based Education (CBC) transition question.
The allocation means that the government will now surpass the 10,000 classrooms target in preparation for the transition of 1.2 million students to junior secondary school in 2023.
The pioneer Grade Six students under CBC who will join Junior Secondary and Standard Eight students who will join Form One in secondary schools will put pressure on available spaces.
According to CS Magoha, 6,487 classrooms have been built in the first phase so far.
The new allocation means that the remaining classrooms will be built, and a Sh1.1 billion surplus will be realized. This balance could be used to build an additional 1,400 new classrooms.
CS Magoha may also have enough money to complete his earlier projection of building additional classrooms in popular schools.
“We will consider building more classrooms for the popular schools because it looks like everybody wants to go there yet we have little infrastructure.”
Prof Magoha, for example, stated that the government will add four more classrooms to Kenya High School to accommodate candidates vying for top schools.
Alliance High in Kiambu and Pangani Girls in Nairobi will also receive additional classrooms.
“We will add classes so that all those people who are clamouring to come here can have an opportunity to learn in good schools,” said the CS.
Education stakeholders, on the other hand, expressed varying views on infrastructure readiness ahead of the transition next year.
According to Akello Misori, secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), the government should focus not only on building classrooms but also on equipping them with lockers, tables, and desks.
“You can have well-built schools but the equipment inside is poor,” he said.
According to Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa, Country Manager for Uwezo Kenya, the money is a drop in the ocean of classroom construction.
“So far they have put up 6,000 classes. If we are expecting a transition of 1.2 million students, is the government saying every classroom should have 120 students? The policy is to have a maximum of 50,” Dr Manyasa said.
According to Mr Wesaya Maina, education and development expert, it is not about how much money is allocated to CBC or the education sector.
With a complete transition from primary to secondary school, he said the government cannot begin investing in two to three months and expect to be successful.
However, with the allocation, the focus has shifted to the readiness of private schools for the transition.
CS Magoha requested that private schools expedite the construction of classrooms in order to align with the implementation of CBC.
The private schools have asked the government to assist them in funding the classrooms program so that they can be ready for the first cohort of junior secondary students.
According to Mr Charles Ochome, national chairman of the Kenya Private Schools Association, most of their schools have space.
Mr Maina, an education expert, believes Kenya should use population data to guide educational planning.
He claimed that the government has ignored the sector, despite claims that it should account for 20 to 40% of the national budget.
He noted that the government would have done better because they were the ones who proposed the 100% transition, CBC and others.
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He expressed regret that not all of the Sh4 billion will be directed to the classrooms project, with some diverted to other expenses.
Dr. Manyasa believes the government should have set aside at least Sh10 billion.
He slammed the allocation of Sh2.5 billion for teacher recruitment, calling it insignificant.
CBC Classrooms Gets Sh4bn Lifeline Boost
