The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education has started the final phase of public participation on six proposed education reform bills in Kenya. The committee will hold hearings in 16 counties, concluding the nationwide exercise on Friday. This comes after an extension of the initial public participation programme, which covered 31 counties between September 14 and 25.
The six proposed bills aim to reform various aspects of Kenya's education system. They include the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, Basic Education Bill, Kenya National Educational Assessments Council Bill, Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill. These bills cover areas such as tertiary placement and financing, basic education management, national assessments, teacher training, qualifications, and curriculum development.
The committee has extended the deadline for written memoranda to 5pm on October 2, allowing members of the public and stakeholders to make written submissions. The submissions may be addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly or sent by email. This move aims to ensure that all Kenyans have an opportunity to contribute to the education reform process.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) had questioned the pace of the initial exercise, calling for its suspension. Kuppet argued that the two-week timetable was too short for meaningful public engagement and raised concerns about access to some hearing venues, particularly for stakeholders in rural and marginalised areas. The union also called for greater public sensitisation on the contents and implications of the proposed laws.
The final phase of public hearings began on September 28, with forums in West Pokot, Marsabit, Mandera, and Nandi counties. The committee will move to the remaining 12 counties over the next four days. In each county, the hearings will be held at designated venues, with specific times allocated for the engagements.
On Tuesday, September 29, the committee will hold hearings in Bungoma, Garissa, Busia, and Lamu counties. The venues and times for these hearings have been announced, allowing stakeholders to plan and attend the forums. This phase of public participation aims to ensure that all counties have an opportunity to contribute to the education reform process.
The proposed education reforms aim to improve the quality and accessibility of education in Kenya. If passed, the bills will introduce significant changes to the education system, including new frameworks for tertiary education funding and placement, basic education management, and teacher training. The reforms are expected to have a positive impact on the education sector, but their implementation will require careful planning and execution.
Key points
- The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education has extended the public participation programme to cover all 47 counties in Kenya.
- The six proposed education reform bills aim to improve the quality and accessibility of education in Kenya.
- The committee has extended the deadline for written memoranda to 5pm on October 2.
