NG-CDF Committee Pushes for Increased Funding to Upgrade Junior Secondary Infrastructure

The National Assembly Select Committee on the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has called for an increase in budgetary allocations to address infrastructural gaps in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across the country.

Led by Chairperson Hon. Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine MP), the Committee made the appeal on Wednesday during an inspection tour of several JSS infrastructure projects in Nairobi. The projects, funded through a KSh1 billion allocation, include classroom blocks and laboratories constructed under the NG-CDF program.

Hon. Sirma emphasized that many schools, particularly those in densely populated urban areas, are struggling with congestion, making it difficult for both teachers and learners.

“I have seen a class with over 90 students. That is very hectic for both the learners and the teachers. We need to make learning easier and more efficient,” said Sirma, urging the government to inject additional resources into expanding and upgrading facilities.

During the visit, the Committee toured projects in Westlands, Dagoretti South, Lang’ata, and Kibra constituencies. In Westlands, MP Timothy Wanyonyi accompanied the delegation to Westlands Primary School; in Dagoretti South, MP John Kiaroe hosted the team at Ndurarua and Kinyanjui Road Primary Schools; while in Kibra, MP Peter Orero led them to Ayany Primary School, where new classroom blocks are already in use.

In Lang’ata, the team inspected a newly constructed laboratory and classroom block at Madaraka Primary School. Across all stops, the MPs noted both progress and pressing needs for additional facilities to meet the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout.

The Committee also reiterated that beyond new construction, maintenance of existing public school infrastructure remains a priority area for NG-CDF support.

The legislators are set to continue inspection visits tomorrow in Ruaraka, Dagoretti North, Mathare, Starehe, Roysambu, and Kasarani constituencies, as part of a broader national exercise to assess the state of JSS facilities.

Hon. Sirma said the Committee’s findings will inform its recommendations to Parliament, with the aim of securing increased budget allocations in the upcoming financial year to support education sector reforms.