Kenyan Government Allocates Ksh. 18 Billion For Grade 9 Classrooms

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

The Kenyan government has unveiled an ambitious plan to improve the country’s education infrastructure, by committing Ksh. 18 billion to construct 18,000 classrooms for Grade 9 students.

This initiative aims to ease the transition under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which recently integrated junior secondary schools into existing primary school facilities.

In a statement, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu emphasised the government’s dedication to improving education standards.

“We are focused on ensuring that no learner is left behind as we implement CBC. The new classrooms will address the growing demand for space and provide a conducive learning environment,” Machogu said.

The funds will also be used to support teacher training and equip schools with modern learning tools. The Ministry of Education further announced plans to prioritise underserved regions, including arid and semi-arid areas, to ensure equity in education opportunities.

Parents and educators welcomed the move. “This will relieve the overcrowding in many schools. It shows a serious commitment to our children’s future,” noted Jane Mwikali, a headteacher from Machakos County.

However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about potential delays and budget management. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) urged the government to provide regular updates on the progress of construction.

This development aligns with President William Ruto’s promise to invest heavily in education, a sector he described as critical to achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030. The construction is expected to be completed by the next academic year.