President William Ruto announced on Sunday that the Kenyan government is set to complete the construction of 11,000 new classrooms specifically for Grade 9 students by the time schools reopen for the 2025 academic calendar.
While addressing congregants during a church service in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County, Ruto emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Next year, we shall be having Grade 9 students, and we need more classrooms. The government is in the process of completing 11,000 classrooms,” the President stated.
Concerns had been mounting among parents and educators regarding the readiness of the government to handle the influx of students due to purported shortages of classrooms and teaching staff.
However, Ruto sought to quell these fears, asserting that comprehensive plans are in place to facilitate a smooth transition for the pioneering CBC cohort.
Furthering his commitment to the educational landscape, Ruto revealed plans to recruit 20,000 new intern teachers beginning January next year, alongside transitioning 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to permanent and pensionable positions.
“The future of our children is paramount, and how we educate them shapes our nation’s destiny,” he remarked.
The President allocated an additional Sh3.5 billion to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to aid in constructing 6,000 more classrooms. He urged Members of Parliament to act swiftly, promising a “shilling-for-a-shilling” match to expedite the classroom constructions.
