Education CS nominee Ogamba proposes hybrid model for JSS transition

Julius Migos Ogamba, nominee for the position of Education CS before the Committee on Appointments at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. August 1st ,2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Some Grade 9 students may be moved to secondary schools as the Ministry of Education addresses the challenges of transitioning to junior secondary schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary nominee Julius Migosi told the vetting panel that if approved, he might consider a hybrid system where some students would attend classes in nearby secondary schools.

Mr Migosi, however, said the current plan to keep junior secondary schools in primary schools will remain.

“The presidential working party went through public participation and agreed to domicile the classes in primary school. But in areas where there will be a shortage then we can have some students proceed to existing secondary schools. I am ready to take the position in the best interest of the children of Kenya and I have the courage to do that,” he said.

Migosi spoke while appearing before the committee that is vetting nominees for Cabinet secretary positions. He was among five CS who were vetted on Thursday.

But House Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah challenged the hybrid model, arguing it lacks flexibility.

“In some areas, we have schools that are 14 kilometres away. If you tell some (students) to attend Grade 9 in the nearest secondary school it does not make sense,” he said.

The transition faces issues like a lack of enough classrooms, labs, and qualified teachers.

Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood asked about the nominee's plan to provide classrooms. “It’s only three, four months and there are no resources. Where will they go to school?” he said.

He also questioned the logic of leaving empty classrooms in secondary schools while building new ones in primary schools for the Grade 9 students.

Migosi responded that the government has started building 3,500 classrooms for Grade 9 students, with another 7,500 to start in October and finish in three months.

However, he did not address the remaining deficit of 5,000 classrooms.

Migosi also called on Parliament to support the ministry with better funding and timely disbursement of funds.

“I am requesting if approved, that the total budget to the ministry be ringfenced and provided on time by the treasury and in assistance of Parliament,” he said.

Additionally, Migosi pledged to eliminate illegal levies in schools.

“We will ensure that we have a strict implementation of those regulations, and a watertight disciplinary mechanism,” he said. 

The nominee told the vetting panel that his net worth was Sh790 million 

Migosi has held significant roles in various high-profile positions throughout his career.

Prior to his nomination as Education CS, he served as chairman of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC, succeeding former Chief of Defense Forces Samson Mwathethe who had held the position since November 2020.