Those who sat the KCSE exams last year revel in their performance; they prepare for the next step of their education journey.

Those still to get to this stage are setting off for the first term of this academic year and the government is assuring them that their education will not be interrupted due to lack of funds.

The CS for education, while releasing the KCSE exam results says the government has released 31.34 billion shillings for basic education for the first term.

“These funds have effectively cleared the way for the smooth opening of schools for the first term of the 2024 calendar year,” the CS said.

Of the funds, free primary education got Ksh.4.74 billion, junior schools Ksh.7.60 billion, day secondary education Ksh.16.2 billion and exam and invigilation fees, Ksh.2.8 billion.

The government further says it intends to ensure the smooth transition of the pioneer class of the CBC to Grade Nine next year by increasing both teachers and classrooms to accommodate the students.

“Through these funds, we expect to have 15,015 classrooms ready for use in junior schools for grade 9 next year,” Machogu said.

Besides the recruitment of teachers for the junior schools, the ministry says it will redistribute the extra 18,194 teachers who used to teach classes 7 and 8 to other schools to ensure lower teacher-learner ratios.

The first term of learning will also see the implementation of some of the recommendations of the presidential working party on education reforms, including the reduction in the learning areas for primary and junior schools.

Parents however do not have to worry about buying new textbooks as this change takes effect, as teachers have been instructed to continue using the existing books as the KICD reviews them.

The ministry is also directing the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central placement service to align their cluster points and entry requirements with the new reforms as the entire education centre moves towards embracing the competency-based curriculum at all levels.

“I direct KUCCPS to mount a robust career awareness campaign among the 2023 KCSE candidates to ensure all students understand the new TVET and university entry requirements under the higher education funding model launched last year,” Machogu noted.

Education stakeholders will be hoping that the government maintains the tempo it has set of releasing education funds in times to cushion the sector from the challenges it faced last year.