The Government has allocated Sh.1.5billion in the 2019/20 financial year, towards improvements of infrastructure in public primary and secondary Schools, the Cabinet Secretary for Education (CS), Prof. George Magoha has said.
Prof. Magoha said the World Bank jointly with the Kenya Government will spend Sh.6billion to improve infrastructure in 30 County public schools in marginalized regions.
The improvement, he added, will be done under the auspices of the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) and aims to benefit some 2,000 primary schools and 1,000 secondary schools in addition to 68 Primary and 7 secondary schools catering for Special Education Needs.
Prof. Magoha made the revelations during a consultative meeting of the national and county governments on Competency-Based Curriculum at a Nairobi Hotel on Friday. The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang.
The participants were drawn from County executives for Education from all the 47 County Governments.
Prof. Magoha underscored the strategic role of Early Childhood Development (ECD), saying it provided a strong foundation for the subsequent education of learners.
The Deputy Director, USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s Office of Education and Youth, Ms. Jaime Oberlander said that joint efforts by the Kenya and USA governments had improved the learning outcomes of over 7 million children in grades 1, 2 and 3 in English and Kiswahili.
“To date, 26 million books have been distributed to pupils in grades 1, 2 and 3 in English and Kiswahili,” Ms Oberlander noted.
The official said USAID commended Kenya’s work to promote 21st century skills through the Competency Based Curriculum.
Ms. Oberlander said USAID has offered logistical and conference support for the initial mobilization of key stakeholders to participate in the curriculum review process.
“We look forward to working together with all Kenyan stakeholders in education to help all Kenyan children learn and be able to compete in the global arena,” she said.
By KNA
