Textbook Distribution for Grade 9 Will Start in the Next Month.
Starting in October 2024, junior secondary schools in Molo Sub-County, Nakuru County, will begin receiving Grade Nine textbooks as part of a nationwide textbook distribution initiative. This effort, led by the Ministry of Education, will run through January 31, 2025, covering over 20,000 schools across the country. It forms part of the government’s commitment to providing over 9.6 million textbooks to public primary schools, ensuring that learners from Grade One to Grade Nine receive adequate learning resources.
Achieving a 1:1 Pupil-Textbook Ratio
Dr. Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Basic Education, emphasized the importance of achieving a 1:1 pupil-textbook ratio, which Kenya is the first country in East Africa to implement for Grades 1 to 9. Dr. Kipsang underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Grade Nine learner has access to textbooks for all examinable subjects. These resources have been meticulously prepared by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and vetted to meet the curriculum’s standards.
Publishers Involved in the Distribution
The distribution of textbooks will be managed by several leading publishers, including:
- Oxford University Press
- Kenya Literature Bureau
- East African Educational Publishers
- Longhorn Publishers
- Storymoja Publishers
- Jomo Kenyatta Foundation
- Spotlight Publishers
- Moran Publishers
While public schools will receive these textbooks at no cost, private schools will need to purchase them from bookstores. This initiative ensures that all learners in public institutions have access to the necessary instructional materials.
Infrastructure and Classroom Development
To accommodate the growing number of students in Junior Secondary Schools, the government is constructing 11,000 new classrooms nationwide. Additionally, each school will receive Ksh 3,000 to support maintenance and furnishing, including desks.
Grade Nine Assessment Preparations
In July 2024, the Ministry of Education conducted a pilot assessment for Grade 9 learners to help teachers prepare for the national assessment scheduled for next year. Another pilot assessment is planned for Grade 6 learners, which will simulate their final exams scheduled for November 2025. These assessments will help inform the placement of Grade 10 students in January 2026, guiding them into specialized learning pathways such as STEM, humanities, creative arts, and sports.
Schools will be required to offer at least two pathways, with STEM being mandatory. The government has prioritized the development of laboratories to support STEM education, planning to start laboratory construction in January 2025. Virtual labs will be introduced in the interim to address the needs of the approximately 1,600 junior secondary schools that currently lack proper facilities.
Focus on School Safety
In response to concerns about school safety, Dr. Kipsang announced plans to review the schools’ safety manual. This review will create a legal framework to enhance security measures and include punitive actions for non-compliance. The goal is to prevent incidents such as school fires and ensure a safer learning environment for students.
The distribution of Grade Nine textbooks marks a critical step in the government’s ongoing efforts to support the education sector, improve infrastructure, and enhance learning outcomes in Kenya.
