Construction of JSS classrooms starts
Construction of JSS classrooms starts
Construction of JSS classrooms starts
Building of nine thousand classrooms for students in Grade Nine has begun, and schools are instructed by the government to only spend funds designated for this reason.
An estimated Sh1 million would be spent on the construction of each classroom. Accordingly, the project’s estimated cost is Sh9 billion.
The Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning (KPEEL) program is being carried out by the government, according to Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang.
According to him, the goals of the Program Development Objective (PDOS) are to enhance the retention of girls in upper primary education, lessen regional differences in learning outcomes, and fortify the mechanisms that provide fair educational outcomes.
Kipsang sent a circular to the regional, county, and sub-county directors of education on June 13 that contains the information.
Kipsang said all learning institutions that host junior secondary school section will be allocated classrooms commensurate with their enrollment.
The Ministry has now issued guidelines for construction of the classrooms, with Kipsang saying the program will see construction of new classrooms in refugee host communities and non-refugee/non-host communities in the already existing schools.
“The funds intended for construction of Grade 9 classrooms and Integrated Learning Resource Centres shall not be used for any other purpose,” the PS said.
The first phase of construction will be funded by the World Bank, as the pioneer Competency Based Education (CBE), now in Grade 8, prepare to transition to Grade 9 next year.
By January, the government hopes to have built as least 16,000 Grade 9 classrooms.
Nine thousand of these will have funding of Sh9 billion from the World Bank.
Under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), which is overseen by National Assembly Members, more classrooms are to be constructed.
They will be constructed in line with needs-based 2021 School Infrastructure Investment Plan (SIIP) and the established standards for classroom construction.
To ensure timely completion of the project and enhance efficiency, the PS said beneficiary schools will be required to open and operate a specific project account whose signatories includes Chairpersons of Board of Management (BoM), Junior School Committee and Parents Association respectively, as well as the head teacher.
“Any of the three should sign but head teacher is a mandatory signatory to the account. The head of institution will acknowledge receipt of the funds,” the PS directed.
Construction works must be completed within three months with effect from the date of signing the contract.
Similarly, the guidelines state that the infrastructure budget should be approved by Board of Management.
The PS also said payments will only be made for work done and will be within the Costed Bill of Quantities (BQs), adding that no certificate will be issued that supersedes the actual work done.
“The schools will not be allowed to make any variations except under express authority from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education. Constitute a School Infrastructure Committee (SIC) as a sub-committee of BoM,” the PS told the directors.
Schools are also to adhere to the designs and the Costed Bill of Quantities provided by the Ministry, with the quality of the materials to be used expected to be in line with specifications in the BQs provided.
“Ensure that the financial or accounting documents and summary of transactions for funds received and expenditures relating to the project are well supported. This shall include payment vouchers, invoices, cash sale vouchers, summary of receipts and use of funds, bank statements, minutes of the board and SIC meetings,” the PS said.
The head of the institution must adhere to the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act, 2015 and must also ensure that the classrooms are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The institution’s leader has been counseled to make sure that stakeholder consultations are carried out at different stages of the construction project.
“Through a risk-and outcome-based approach, environmental and social safeguards management are appropriately developed to support risk management and enhance the project’s environmental and social performance. This covers waste management, learner safety, and child protection,” Kipsang instructed.
The projects will be coordinated and carried out at several levels, including the national, regional, county, and school levels. Regional Directors of Education (RDES), County Directors of Education (CDEs), Sub County Directors of Education (SCDEs), and school level SCDEs will oversee the projects.