President gives hope to all KCPE pupils

All the one million candidates who will sit this year’s KCPE examination will join Form One next year, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

Uhuru said some Sh6 billion has been allocated to 2,576 secondary schools to expand their capacity in readiness for Form One admissions next year.

He said the money is being used to construct laboratories, classes and sanitary facilities.

Data from the Ministry of Education shows that construction of 2,000 classrooms, 1,000 laboratories and a similar number of sanitary blocks is currently under way.

Form One slots

Of the the 941,623 who sat KCPE last year, 150,943 did not secure Form One slots.

KCPE examinations will last three days, starting October 31 to November 2.

Uhuru also called for a major crackdown on teachers who miss classes to tend to their private businesses.

Elaborating his vision for the education sector, Uhuru announced that the national roll out of the new curriculum will start in January, next year.

Uhuru said funds for construction projects must be utilised well.

He was speaking yesterday while opening this year’s conference of secondary school heads of Catholic-sponsored schools.

Some 1,165 school heads are attending the meeting under the Catholic Schools Principals Association.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said all education sector plans are on course and assured the Head of State that the projects will meet set deadlines.

And to enhance the quality of education, Uhuru emphasised that serious action must be taken against absentee teachers in public schools to ensure children are effectively taught.

“Principals kindly, teachers cannot take half of the school time running their matatu business and kiosks and spend less time with children,” said Uhuru.

He directed that quality assurance mechanisms be put in place to ensure teachers are in class.

“We must ensure this does not happen in our schools. We have to make a difference,” said Uhuru.

The Head of State decried the low learning outcomes in schools, making reference to international reports that have questioned the quality of teaching and learning in Kenyan schools.

More emphasis

He said that starting January 2018, the new curriculum that focusses less on examinations and puts more emphasis on competency learning will be rolled out.

“This will ensure quality and relevant skills for the job market and introduction of value-based system. We are counting on bishops/church support to instill right values in children,” he said.

Uhuru said piloting of the new curriculum in 470 schools ended and necessary feedback will be used inform national roll out.

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