Education CS Julius Ogamba Hails Near-Complete Transition to Grade 10, Urges Coast Region to Boost Rates

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has announced that 99% of students across the country have achieved successful transition of learners from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in the senior secondary phase under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). However, he noted that the Coast region lags slightly behind at 95% and called for concerted efforts to push the figure higher.

Image: Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos addressing the participants at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic during official opening of the newly built Academic block.

Speaking on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, during the commissioning of a newly constructed academic block at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) in Mombasa, Ogamba commended the national progress while emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring inclusive education.

"The government is committed and has done everything possible to ensure double efforts for the transition," Ogamba said. "Coast region has to raise the number at least to 98%."

Recent national data indicates strong overall momentum, with the transition rate climbing to 98% as of late January 2026, following intensive mop-up exercises and directives from President William Ruto to ensure full compliance. Earlier reports showed rates starting at around 75-85% in January, improving steadily to near-universal levels in most areas.

Ogamba also addressed challenges in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, assuring students at KCNP and similar colleges that the government is actively responding to concerns over affordability.

"I've interacted with students here, and one of the challenges they've raised is school fees," he stated. "I want to assure them that there's a team now working on the fee review so that we can reduce it to a more affordable level."

The CS further highlighted ongoing support through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), urging youths to take advantage of available funding for TVET courses. "The National Government is committed to helping students in TVET institutions access HELB for their education," he added, encouraging enrollment in tertiary and artisan programs to build skills for the job market.

The event spotlighted KCNP's self-funded initiative, a KSh 150 million academic block constructed through internally generated resources. Ogamba praised the polytechnic as a model for other institutions, challenging them to emulate such infrastructure development.

He stressed the need for proper resource management, calling for transparency and accountability in the use of funds. "Proper management of resources is important, with clear and transparent use," Ogamba emphasized.

The new facility at KCNP includes modern classrooms, workshops, and laboratories, enhancing training capacity in technical fields. The CS used the occasion to reinforce the government's push for quality education infrastructure amid the CBC rollout. 

This visit aligns with broader efforts to strengthen TVET as a key pillar of Kenya's education system, ensuring equitable access and relevance to national development goals.