Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has announced that the government will construct 18,000 new classrooms to accommodate Grade 9 students in junior secondary schools starting next year.
Of these, 11,000 classrooms will be funded through development partners, while 7,000 will be financed by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Kipsang assured the public of the government’s preparedness for the upcoming transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9. “We are making significant progress with the construction of necessary infrastructure, so there is no need for concern,” he stated.
He also highlighted that 56,000 teachers have been recruited to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), with plans to hire an additional 20,000. “We are actively assessing and enhancing the capacity of primary school teachers to ensure they are well-prepared for the junior secondary schools,” Kipsang added.
The government remains dedicated to the CBC’s success and is collaborating with various partners to establish the required infrastructure. Plans are also in place to ensure a smooth transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in 2026.
Kipsang made these remarks during the official opening of the 96th Kenya Music Festival in Eldoret, an event attended by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii. The 12-day festival will host 130,000 students and participants across 58 schools, with the theme “Talent Development for Growth of the Creative Economy.”
He emphasized President William Ruto’s commitment to advancing arts and talents and reassured parents about the future of CBC, despite some challenges. Kipsang noted that the government is collaborating closely with teacher unions, such as KNUT and KUPPET, who have fully embraced CBC and other educational reforms.
Professor Fredrick Ngala, Chairman of the Kenya Music Festival, revealed plans to elevate the festival to an international level, with participation from teams in Uganda, Tanzania, and a UK university. He also highlighted efforts to integrate technology into the festival to enhance accessibility for parents and other Kenyans.
