The National Treasury has released an initial Sh 4 billion to the Ministry of Education to commence the first phase of the CBC school infrastructure development programme.
Education CS George Magoha said the Sh4 billion, in addition to Sh 1.2 billion from the Ministry of Education’s infrastructure fund, will be spent on the construction of 6,500 classrooms in 6,371 secondary schools.
"This programme seeks to address the classroom deficit in our public secondary schools to allow for a smooth transition of CBC Grade 6 learners to junior secondary in January 2023," Magoha said in a statement on Sunday.
On October 20, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the National Treasury to give the Ministry of Education Sh8 billion for the construction of 10,000 classrooms in secondary schools.
The programme will be implemented in two phases.
Magoha said a multiagency team comprising the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior and other state agencies has developed a roadmap for implementation of the project.
"The CBC Infrastructure Development Programme is being implemented under the Kenya economic stimulus package, using local contractors within the vicinity of the secondary schools to tap local skills and enhance economic opportunities," Magoha said.
The CS said contractors had, by November 12, 2021, been registered with the deputy county commissioners at no cost.
"Following the completion of the registration exercise, the subcounty implementation committees will issue a notification to local contractors to bid for the construction of the classrooms in schools in their respective subcounties as from November 22, 2021."
Magoha said the government is on course to progressively expand the capacity of all secondary schools.
He said the move will support the 100 per cent transition policy and accommodate more learners in 2023 when the CBC Grade 6 candidates of 2022 will transit to junior secondary school.
"I urge all stakeholders, including elected leaders, parents, teachers and philanthropists to continue supporting the government in its commitment to expand the infrastructure in our schools," he added.
Edited by Henry Makori
