The introduction of Junior Secondary School in Kenya as part of the Competency-Based Curriculum has raised debates on where to place learners in Grade 9. Initially, the Basic Education Curriculum Framework placed the junior secondary school in secondary schools. This initial plan has since been revised several times and has remained surrounded by controversy.
Key Points to Know:
- Original Placement Plans: JSS was intended to be housed in secondary schools under the original Basic Education Curriculum Framework.
- Stakeholder Debate: There has been considerable debate about the appropriate placement for Grade 9 learners.
Current Situation and Principal’s Perspective
Principals from various secondary schools have aired their views and raised concerns during the annual Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association. According to them, a majority of primary schools are not adequately prepared in terms of infrastructure to accommodate JSS learners, especially in classrooms and laboratories.
Infrastructure and Preparedness
According to Willy Kuria, the national chairperson of Kessha, secondary schools will do a better job because they are already set with existing facilities like classrooms, laboratories, and teachers with the necessary training. He had reasoned that keeping students in primary school for 11 years – all the way from pre-primary to Grade 9 – would leave very little time in the final three years for them to be well prepared for university studies.
Recommendations from Principals
Principals have suggested the transfer of Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners to secondary schools so that the existing facilities within the former are fully utilized. For example, almost all secondary schools will each have unused classrooms since no Form I intake will take place in the next intake. These classes can be used to teach JSS learners, hence avoiding the construction of new facilities within primary schools.
According to the head of Sabunley Secondary School, Abdi Noor, who doubled as the official of Kessha, what should not dictate the placing of learners is their age, but rather attention to the infrastructure and learning environment.
Government’s Stance
Despite these observations, education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has maintained the need to retain Grade 9 learners in primary schools being the resolve of the government in line with the recommendation of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. After detailed consultation with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders, it advised that JSS remains in primary.
Challenges and Future Directions
One of the Challenges Faced in the Implementation of JSS in Primary Schools is lack of preparedness such as inadequate infrastructure according to principals. They say the infrastructure in the existing secondary schools should be utilized rather than straining the meager resources in primary schools.
The government faces the challenge of ensuring that infrastructure in primary schools is improved to effectively accommodate JSS learners. This entails construction of more classrooms and ensuring learning facilities are provided.
This means the debate on where to domicile these JSS learners points to even wider issues in the educational infrastructure and resource allocation. The commitment of the government in solving these challenges therefore stays paramount in ensuring the success of CBC and hence quality education for all.