The government has announced that the Central Region is on the verge of fully completing its Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) classroom infrastructure, marking a major step in preparations for the expanding Junior School levels. According to Central Region Director of Education Sabina Aroni, 1,600 out of 1,631 planned classrooms across Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Nyandarua have already been completed, representing a 99 percent success rate. She said the few remaining classrooms are delayed mainly due to land limitations in congested institutions, with some schools—such as Mwiki Primary in Kiambu—forced to adopt vertical construction to accommodate their large enrolment.
Speaking during a visit to Tetu Girls Boarding Primary School, Aroni confirmed that the region is in the final stretch of preparations for the transition of learners into Grade 10 next year. She said teachers who will handle the incoming class have already been retooled through programmes led by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). Additionally, enrolment data for next year’s Grade 9 cohort has been submitted, enabling the Ministry of Education to plan for adequate textbook distribution and other learning materials. The progress follows last year’s national commitment to build 11,000 JSS classrooms through development partners and another 7,000 via the NG-CDF, signaling a broader strategy to support the CBC rollout nationwide.
Aroni also addressed concerns regarding delays in school capitation, noting that institutions that submitted accurate and verifiable data have already received funds. She explained that some schools had their disbursements held up due to errors in the data formats or mismatched enrolment numbers. Her clarification aligns with recent remarks by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who said that 32,000 schools have submitted their records, with 3,000 already receiving their third-term capitation after verification. The government has urged schools still awaiting funds to remain patient as data validation continues, assuring that disbursements will be made promptly once their records meet the Ministry’s standards.