The government has assured parents and students that a seven-day placement revision window will ensure all learners transitioning to Grade 10 are placed in schools and career pathways of their choice.
The revision window that was opened Tuesday aims at addressing concerns raised by parents and learners who were dissatisfied with the initial placement results.
Speaking during the opening of Shanzu Senior School in Kisauni Constituency, Mombasa, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba, said the window has been opened and urged learners to make informed and appropriate choices during the revision period.
Ogamba reiterated the government’s commitment to providing quality, equitable and inclusive basic education as stipulated in Article 53 of the Constitution. “This means that all children of school-going age must be in school,” he said.
The CS emphasized that education is the most valuable resource and that only through a quality curriculum can the country build the requisite human capital to achieve national development goals.
“With proper education, our people will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the 21st century. It is an essential tool in empowering our young ones for a productive future,” he stated.
The CS noted that the senior school, built by the Kisauni National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), will serve a wide catchment area extending beyond the constituency.
“It will draw students across the country, thereby helping to inculcate the values of diversity and cohesion from an early age. Holistic and value-based education is essential in eliminating ignorant prejudices and retrogressive cultural practices that undermine national unity, thus hampering both individual and collective development,” he said.
Ogamba further explained that the Competency-Based Education (CBE) pathways, including STEM, Social Sciences and Arts, and Sports Science, will define learners’ career paths upon completion of senior school and their subsequent roles in nation building.
The CS lauded the area MP Rashid Bedzimba for constructing the fully fledged senior school, noting that access to quality education has been hampered by inadequate infrastructure and long distances to schools due to limited resources.
“This school will go a long way in promoting access and retention in education and transforming the lives of many families and children. It stands as proof of our shared determination to mobilize resources and support the journey of empowering our people through quality and relevant education,” he said.
He assured the MP that the ministry will fast-track the school’s registration to ensure it admits learners and receives capitation at the beginning of next term.
“We will work with the Teachers Service Commission to ensure that a principal and teachers are posted here to support the learners,” added Ogamba.
On his part, Bedzimba said he was determined to leverage NG-CDF funds to improve school infrastructure in the vast constituency of Mombasa.
“We will build better schools to ensure that our learners study in conducive environments,” he said.
However, Bedzimba urged the CS to direct head teachers to sensitize and guide parents and learners on CBE pathways, noting that many of them were getting confused.
He also termed the recruitment of Junior Secondary School teachers as skewed, saying only three local teachers were recruited out of 40 slots, and called for investigations to ensure fair distribution of job opportunities.
The MP further appealed to Shanzu Teachers College to cede two acres to allow the new senior school to develop a playground and an ICT hub.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki called for an increase in Kisauni NG-CDF allocation to enhance service delivery, citing the constituency’s vast size and its seven wards. He also urged the CS to push for the establishment of a TVET institution in the area.
NG-CDF Board CEO Yusuf Mbuno said Sh960 million has been disbursed in Kisauni over the last five years, with 92 percent of the funds being used for education-related projects and programmes.
The NG-CDF Board has also pledged to disburse Sh7.5 million for equipping Shanzu Senior School.
By Sadik Hassan
