The Kenya Bureau of Statistics in partnership with the ministry of education has rolled out an extensive census in all schools in the country aimed at providing up-to-date information regarding basic learning institutions.
The field data collection exercise will be undertaken for a period of 50 days in all the schools in the country with an approximate budget of 300 million shillings
The 2024 school census will cover all learning institutions including those providing basic education such as pre-primary, primary, junior, secondary schools and special needs education units for both public and private institutions as well as all international schools.
Speaking to the media Education PS Belio Kipsang has noted that the data from the census will inform more planning for the education sector
The Kenyan national educational system consists of three levels; eight years of compulsory primary education (beginning at age six), four years at the secondary level, and four years of higher education.
“Despite the Kenyan government prioritizing education, Kenyan public education is rife with inadequate facilities, insufficient and often poorly trained teachers, overcrowded classrooms and poor results,” the report indicates.
KNBS Director General Macdonald Obudho however charged the ministry to frequently enumerate the sector so as to inform major key decisions pertaining to learning in Kenya.
The last education census happened in 2007.
The ministry of education has announced that plans are underway for the onboarding of grade 9, noting that the govt targets to construct over 16,000 classes by the end of the year.