What you need to know about Junior Secondary School transition

Students during a class session. [File, Standard]

The Government has set aside Sh9.6 billion to facilitate learning activities in public Junior Secondary schools.

According to Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, the National Treasury has set aside Sh15,000 per learner for this academic year. Therefore, the CS has reiterated that no fees should be imposed on Grade 7 learners in public day schools.

"His Excellency President William Ruto has directed that the National Treasury set aside Sh15,000 per learner as capitation to facilitate free learning in all public schools,"

"In total, the Government will spend Sh9.6 Billion for the learners in Junior 6 Secondary Schools this calendar year. It, therefore, means that no school should charge any fees for Grade 7 learners unless such schools have boarding wings,"

If a learner joins Grade Seven in the same institution they enrolled for Grade Six KPSEA tests, the CS says no admission charges should be paid.

The Teachers Service Commission is also recruiting 30,000 new teachers, the majority of whom will be attending to learners at the Junior Secondary School level.

Since the learners will be joining Grade Seven on January 30, parents and teachers have a fortnight to discuss and settle on a uniform that will distinguish the JSS section from primary school.

The Ministry also has directed schools to have elaborate admission processes in place for Junior Secondary School learners through NEMIS.

"An admission register must be in place with proper induction and orientation program," Machogu says.

Moreover, the CS says his ministry is awaiting the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms regarding the curriculum for the CBC to inform any needed changes in the content of all levels of learning.

"As a result, we will be issuing more guidelines on the Junior Secondary Education level from time to time,"

Upon assuming office, President William Ruto set up a 42-member task force to look into the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and give recommendations on areas to be adjusted.