Ministry of Education is considering major reforms to the Junior Secondary School (JSS) system following recommendations made during the National Conference on Education held in Naivasha.
The conference, which took place between May 7 and May 9, 2026, brought together education stakeholders including government officials, MPs, the Teachers Service Commission, teachers’ unions, development partners, and education experts to review the implementation of the Competency Based Education (CBE) system.
One of the key proposals discussed was the integration of Junior Secondary Schools into a comprehensive school structure where primary and junior secondary education would operate under one institution.
Stakeholders said the move could help address challenges that have emerged since the rollout of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), including shortages of classrooms, lack of enough teachers, limited learning materials, and difficulties during the transition from Grade Six to Grade Seven.
According to participants, many schools have struggled to fully implement JSS due to infrastructure and staffing gaps. Integrating the two levels is expected to improve management, supervision, and distribution of resources.
The conference also discussed issues affecting access to education, teacher training, quality assurance, inclusion, foundational learning, university education, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Teachers’ unions and education experts reportedly urged the government to provide clearer policies and increase funding to ensure the reforms are implemented smoothly.
Parents have also previously raised concerns over the high costs associated with Junior Secondary Schools, especially in institutions forced to construct additional classrooms and hire extra teachers for Grade Seven and Grade Eight learners.
If adopted, the proposed reforms could significantly change how junior secondary education is managed across Kenya, with the government expected to release a detailed implementation plan after reviewing recommendations from the conference.
