The Kenyan government has issued a series of directives as schools prepare to reopen for the 2025 academic year on Monday, January 6th.
Academic Calendar and Transition to Grade 9
Term One will run for 13 weeks, including a five-day mid-term break.
Subsequently, the government has completed 93% of the construction of 16,000 classrooms to accommodate learners transitioning to Grade 9 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Temporary measures, such as utilizing alternative spaces and merging streams, will be implemented where construction remains incomplete.
Key Policy Announcements
- Textbook Distribution: Nearly 10 million textbooks have been distributed to schools, with full delivery expected by reopening day.
- Teacher Recruitment: 76,928 teachers have been hired, including 56,928 permanent positions and 20,000 internships.
- Capitation Funds: The government will disburse KSh48.38 billion, representing 50% of the annual allocation, across free primary, free day junior, and free day secondary education.
Examination Results
- 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results will be released within the first two weeks of January.
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results will be accessible on school portals starting January 6th.
School Safety and Operations
- School Safety: All schools must comply with the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya.
- Boarding School Reopening: 348 boarding schools previously closed due to safety concerns will reopen only after meeting safety protocols.
- School Transport: School buses and vehicles transporting learners must adhere to operating hours between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM and undergo regular inspections by the National Transport Safety Authority.
Key Changes in the Education System
- No Form One Admissions: This is the first year in 39 years without Form One admissions due to the full transition to the CBC.
- Shift to Grade 9 in Primary Schools: The first CBC class (now in Grade 9) will complete junior secondary school in primary schools.
Challenges and Concerns
- Funding Shortages: Secondary schools face financial challenges due to the absence of Form One students and the lack of disbursed capitation funds.
- Infrastructure and Resource Constraints: Primary schools are experiencing increased enrollment and infrastructure shortages.
- Textbook Availability: While textbooks are generally available, some delays are expected for rationalized learning areas in Grades 7 and 8.
Government Initiatives
- Grade 9 Infrastructure: The government has allocated KSh18 billion for the construction of 18,000 classrooms to support Grade 9.
- NG-CDF Support: The National Government Constituency Development Fund will contribute to the construction of an additional 6,800 classrooms.
