In a bid to enhance the smooth transition of students from primary to junior secondary schools, the Ministry of Education, Republic of Kenya, has released crucial guidelines and instructions for the Grade 7 and 8 cohorts under the Junior Secondary School (JSS) system. The move comes in light of reports indicating challenges faced by some Junior Secondary Schools during the opening of the First Term on Monday, January 8th, 2024.
Key Directives:
- Seamless Transition for 2023 Candidates:
- All 1,282,574 candidates who sat the 2023 Kenya Primary Schools Education Assessment are to be allowed to join Grade 7 in the Junior Secondary Schools hosted by their respective primary schools where they attended Grade 1-6.
- Optimal Classroom Utilization:
- Grade 7 learners are instructed to utilize the classrooms previously occupied by the current Grade 8 learners in 2023.
- Uniform Continuity:
- Grade 7 learners are permitted to attend school in the uniforms they used while in Grade 6 in 2023, allowing parents and guardians time to procure new outfits for the Junior Secondary School phase.
- Efficient Space Management:
- Grade 8 learners are advised to use the classrooms left vacant by the last cohort of Standard 8 candidates who sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination in 2023.
- Avoidance of Additional Construction Burden:
- Schools are explicitly instructed not to request parents to construct new classrooms for the current Grade 8 candidates.
Financial Support and Accountability:
The government has allocated Sh12.8 Billion for the construction of 15,015 classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools over the next year. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has released Ksh7.6 Billion last week, credited to school accounts. In light of this financial support, schools are expressly prohibited from imposing any levies on parents.
Vigilance and Compliance:
Field officers from the Ministry of Education are urged to be vigilant in their respective regions, ensuring strict compliance with all guidelines and joining instructions for both Junior Secondary schools and Form One.
This comprehensive set of directives aims to streamline the implementation of the Junior Secondary School system, fostering an environment conducive to learning and development for Grade 7 and 8 students across the nation. The Ministry emphasizes its commitment to facilitating the education journey for students and ensuring equitable access to quality education.
