Will your Grade 8 or 9 child move to a senior school? MP Milemba seeks change

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Parents with children in Grade 8 or Grade 9 could see changes in where their children learn if a proposal by Omboko Milemba succeeds in Parliament.

The Emuhaya MP has announced that he intends to introduce a Motion in the National Assembly seeking to move Grades 8 and 9 from junior secondary schools to senior secondary schools.

The proposal, he says, is meant to address growing imbalances in student placement under Kenya’s evolving education structure.

Why he says this is necessary

According to Mr Milemba, who is the National Chairman of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), many senior secondary schools — particularly those classified as C4 — are struggling with very low enrolment after most Grade 10 learners were admitted to larger C1, C2 and C3 institutions.

The result:

• Laboratories and libraries in some senior schools are underused
• Qualified teachers have fewer students
• Some institutions are “fighting to survive”
• At the same time, certain junior secondary schools are facing pressure from higher student numbers.

For families in remote areas where transport is limited and distances are long, nearby schools are critical. If smaller senior schools weaken or close, children may be forced to travel far from home.

What the proposed Motion would do

If introduced and approved, the Motion would seek to:

• Relocate Grades 8 and 9 to senior secondary schools
• Increase enrollment in struggling senior institutions
• Maximise use of infrastructure and trained teachers
• Protect small community-based schools

In practical terms, your Grade 8 or 9 child could attend a senior secondary school instead of remaining in a junior one.

Funding and fees

Mr Milemba has also urged principals to accept junior learners under fair and manageable financial terms.

He has suggested a capitation of Sh15,000 per learner instead of Sh22,000, warning that insisting on higher figures could make government support difficult.

He has further cautioned schools against imposing extra charges on parents.

What happens next?

The proposal has not yet been introduced in the House. Once formally presented, it would need debate and approval before any changes take effect.

For now, it remains a legislative intention--but one that could significantly reshape the path for Grade 8 and 9 learners nationwide.