Government introduces digital tool for guiding Grade 9 students towards higher education institutions
*Grade 9 Learners Embark on a Career-Centric Digital Journey to Senior Schools with CBE*
C cabin Secretary Julius Ogamba has disclosed that the government has introduced a state-of-the-art digital platform to support Grade 9 learners transition to Senior Schools under the Competency Based Education (CBE) initiative.
This pioneering platform offers students the flexibility to pursue their desired career paths and Senior Schools based on their interests, location, and available facilities.
"Kenya's Ministry of Education has developed an airtight system in place for Grade 9 learners to select their preferred Senior Schools and career pathways," noted Ogamba, speaking on June 25th at the 48th Annual Kenya Secondary School Heads Association conference in Mombasa.
Ogamba clarified that the preparations for Grade 10 are well underway, and the critical assessments will be completed on time to ensure students are placed effectively.
He emphasized the pivotal role of school principals in the education revolution and urged them to claim ownership of the transformative changes underfoot.
Insights:
- Flexible and Tailored Placement: The new platform allows students to choose their Senior Schools and career paths based on their interests and location. It also considers available infrastructure to provide a well-rounded, fruitful learning experience for each student.
- Career Guidance Drive: The Ministry has orchestrated a career guidance campaign for Grade 9 learners, offering them comprehensive information about subject combinations and future career paths. This collaborative effort between the government, students, parents, and teachers ensures informed decision-making.
- Transparent and Efficient Placement System: The automated placement process considers various factors such as academic performance, school capacity, geographic location, and alignment to career pathways, making the placement system more inclusive and fair for all students across the nation.
- Engaging Stakeholders: The platform empowers parents, teachers, and students as active participants in the transition process, fostering a supportive environment for students to thrive. Efficient communication channels facilitate the seamless transition to Senior Schools with focus on quality learning experiences.
- Balanced Budget Management: In the face of financial pressures faced by schools, the government has allocated Sh22 billion this term, including funding for Free Day Secondary Education. This monetary support aims to ensure that every shilling is used judiciously, promoting accountability and responsibility within the education sector.
Ogamba stated, "Education goes beyond accessibility; it's about quality." Emphasizing that every decision made, every child mentored, and every teacher supported contributes to the foundation and future of the nation.
He highlighted that the newly structured CBE system will manage population pressure in Senior Schools by utilizing classrooms more efficiently.
Ogamba addressed the growing concerns about drug abuse, unrest, and indiscipline in schools by revealing that the Education Ministry was drafting a national safety and wellbeing strategy. He encouraged school leaders with strong value-based leadership, parental engagement, and counseling to spearhead the outcomes.
The Ministry also plans to distribute learning materials on time by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and retool teachers to meet the challenges of managing the transition.
Upcoming Developments:
- Streamlined Resource Allocation: The Basic Education Principal Secretary encourages schools to adopt e-procurement and the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) for accurate and timely funding allocation.
- Expanded Educator Force: The government is planning to recruit at least 24,000 new teachers in the coming fiscal year, aiming to hire 100,000 new educators in two years to support increased student populations.
"Education is the foundation of our nation's future," affirmed Ogamba, urging school heads to institutionalize mentorship programs, school-based assessments, and data-driven tracking to ensure students acquire the skills needed in the 21st century. Take charge, collaborate, and provide guidance for the future of the nation.
- The state-of-the-art digital platform introduced by the government for Grade 9 learners supports their career-centric journey to Senior Schools under the Competency Based Education (CBE) initiative, offering flexible and tailored placement options for learning, career development, and self-improvement through online education.
- To guide learners in making informed decisions about their future, the Ministry of Education has launched a career guidance drive, providing comprehensive information about subject combinations, future career paths, lifelong learning opportunities, business ventures, sports, health, politics, education-and-self-development, and other areas of interest.
- To ensure an efficient and transparent placement system, the platform considers various factors such as academic performance, school capacity, geographic location, and alignment to career pathways, promoting fairness and inclusivity for all students across the nation.
- In addition to the new digital platform, the government is working on a national safety and wellbeing strategy to address concerns about drug abuse, unrest, and indiscipline in schools, emphasizing the role of value-based leadership, parental engagement, and counseling in fostering a supportive environment for students.
