Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Migosi Ogamba has refuted claims by a section of the media that the government plans to close some satellite institutions of higher learning.
The CS clarified that it was a rationalisation exercise to ensure all resources were optimally utilised for the benefit of the learners.
Speaking at Riokindo Boys High school in Bokimonge ward, Bomachoge Borabu Constituency in Kisii County during the school’s prize-giving day to award students who excelled in last year’s KCSE exams, the CS said that the rationalisation for institutions staffing was also underway.
CS Ogamba clarified that the exercise would be carried out in accordance with the law, respecting the rights of all individuals involved and affected.
The CS noted that the same was also being done for the funding of higher education resources, school bursaries, and donations from other sources that are not centralised, to ensure all resources were more efficiently allocated to make governance easier.
On delayed capitation, the CS cited few challenges, including financial limitations and opposing requirements in government but noted there were efforts to have sufficient allocation for the same to remove hurdles.
The CS applauded the school for achieving a mean grade of 9.2 points (B) and urged them to work hard to reach their target of 9.7 points during this year’s KCSE exams.
He explained the school, which was upgraded with six others in the county, will undertake 3 pathways in the grade 10 competency-based education class in 2026.
The CS promised that the government will support the institution with infrastructure, including classrooms, dormitories and laboratories.
He said there was a budget commitment to do 1600 laboratories in various schools in the country, besides funds being set aside to employ 100,000 more teachers, in the efforts to reach the Kenya Kwanza manifesto target of up to 116,000 by the end of 2025.
On bargaining agreements, Ogamba said all CBAs will be signed at the beginning of the cycle instead of at the end for the sake of clarity and continuity so that teachers and students remain in class.
He explained there were plans to employ the over 65,000 teachers who were jobless despite having TSC numbers.
On the number of CBE classrooms, he said the government had already constructed 23,000 of them for grade 9 since last year and added that textbooks for grade 10 will be purchased by late October for distribution by January next year.
By Jane Naitore
