Discussing 4 changes to Kenyan education in 2023
There have been a number of changes to Kenyan education announced. In September 2022 President Ruto created the CBC Evaluation Task Force. A working group with a remit to review and propose an evolution on the CBC (Competency Based Curriculum), we knew education changes were on the horizon.
A working group set to be active for 6 months, and with a progress report in to the President every 2 months, clearly the change horizon was not to be a distant dot.
Coming into effect now, this committee of 49 change makers has asked for patience from their stakeholders as logistics and infrastructure catch up with the changes inbound.
Kenyan education changes are here
On 1st December 2022 President Ruto announced changes to those pupils in Grade 7 and Grade 8.
As we know education in Kenya is based on years in school, and not age. The personal circumstances of a child can easily mean a delayed start to their education.
Clearly this education stage is a key focus for Kids League Kenya Secondary education scholarships.
There’s a number of changes to Kenyan education we’re navigating as the institutions adapt to the instructions they have received.
1. Junior Secondary School (JSS) changes
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform presented President Ruto with interim report detailing that Junior Secondary Schools will now be ‘domiciled’ in Primary Schools.
This means that where previously students would leave Primary to go a different Secondary school, they will now remain at the Primary School institutions for a further two years.
These Grade 7 and Grade 8 pupils forming Junior Secondary Schools will return to school on 30th January 2023.
What does this mean for Kids League Kenya?
We work with four local schools in Kongowea, and changes to the JSS means that they have to capacity for two additional school grades.
This capacity includes enough classrooms, playground space, library, the human resources, and of course enough teachers.
Of our partner schools Pentrose does not meet the criteria for Grade 7 and 8 to continue with them. These students will have to move to alternative schools, such as Kongowea Primary, which was recently upgraded.
2. Year end Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
The year-end exams taken in Grade 6 were previously the important step in placement in Junior Secondary School (JSS).
Communicated by President Ruto on 1st December 2022, the KPSEA will now be used to “monitor learning progress and offer feedback to education sector players on areas that require intervention”.
What does this mean for Kids League Kenya?
The KPSEA comes into effect from the end of the academic year 2023. This is replacing the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and is an important data point for us in our selection of students to join the Kids League Kenya Scholarship programme. This score gave us a base line of the academic potential of the students we are considering supporting in the future.
While this consistent exam milestone exists, we will continue to require this information as part of our pupil selection process.
3. Changes to Public Secondary School fees
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has announced that school fees for 2023 have been capped at KSH 53,554 for national schools and KSH 40,555 for county schools.
It has been communicated that Grade 7 and Grade 8 will not be required to pay fees, remaining as Junior Secondary School at the (former) Primary Schools.
What does this mean for Kids League Kenya?
We welcome the opportunity for students to remain within the education system, close to home without having to pay, for 2 more years.
However once through Grade 8, the students will still embark on their Secondary School education, often away from home, with the associated fees. We will be there to support as many of the students that meet our scholarship criteria, as possible.
4. New Uniforms
One of the impacts of introducing the Junior Secondary School (JSS) element into existing local Primary Schools is the uniforms. For Grade 1 to 6 the uniforms will remain the same, but there will new uniforms required for Grade 7 and 8 to differentiate them.
We understand that the Government will pay KSH 15,000 for Grade 7 and Grade 8 uniforms, so that the parents will not have to pay.
What does this mean for Kids League Kenya?
We understand that a child’s uniform can be one of the most expensive outlays for a family living in poverty, so we welcome this intervention. This Government intervention allow students to attend their Junior Secondary School step wearing their new uniform with pride.
The changes being made to the Kenyan education system is ongoing and we will continue to update our community as we come to understand the impact of these changes.
Clearly these changes can cause uncertainty for students, challenges for the teachers and schools. Any donations to support our students are greatly appreciated.
