CS Ogamba Boosts Education with Land Audit, New Classrooms, and Teacher Recruitment
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has instructed education directors nationwide to audit all educational institutions to confirm possession of valid land title deeds. This initiative aims to protect school grounds from encroachment.
“In cases where institutions lack titles, we will work with the Ministry of Lands to secure them, safeguarding our educational facilities,” Ogamba stated during the inauguration of new Junior Secondary School classrooms at Kakamega Primary and Junior Secondary School on Wednesday.
Ogamba issued a firm warning to those encroaching on government-owned school lands, declaring, “Anyone attempting to unlawfully claim land belonging to educational institutions must vacate immediately. The government will use all available resources to reclaim these properties.”
As part of the government’s efforts to facilitate a smooth transition to Grade 9, Ogamba announced plans to construct 16,000 classrooms nationwide. “We have allocated resources directly to schools, enabling local construction and easing the financial burden on parents while ensuring adequate learning infrastructure,” he explained.
The CS encouraged primary school teachers to embrace their role in advancing education, saying, “Once a teacher, always a teacher. We have capable educators ready to teach Grade 9, and we are focusing on retooling even more of them.”
Ogamba also revealed plans to strengthen the teaching workforce. Starting January, 46,000 intern teachers will be promoted to permanent, pensionable positions, and an additional 20,000 science teachers will be recruited to address staffing gaps.
Commending the government’s multi-agency team for its dedication, Ogamba expressed gratitude for their role in completing projects like the new classrooms at Kakamega Junior Secondary School. “It’s inspiring to see allocated funds being used effectively and transparently. A committed team like this is essential for the success of our schools,” he concluded.
