School Heads Seek Changes in Ruto's Education Reforms Plan

The Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) is calling for changes in the education reforms plan implemented by President William Ruto's government. The association wants a new career progression structure that recognises the expanded responsibilities of school heads under the comprehensive school system. They also seek fast-tracked legislation to clarify how institutions will be governed and financed. These demands were made during KECSHA's four-day national annual general meeting and conference in Mombasa.

President Ruto has backed the call for a legal framework, directing the Ministry of Education to work with KECSHA and submit proposals to amend the Basic Education Act within 90 days. The proposed amendments should provide a firm legal foundation for the governance, staffing, and financing of comprehensive schools. The reforms have expanded the responsibilities of school heads, requiring a governance structure that responds to the needs of institutions managing learners from pre-primary to Grade Nine.

KECSHA is also asking the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to review and harmonise promotion structures for heads of institutions to reflect their increased leadership and administrative responsibilities. The association wants clearly defined career progression pathways for classroom teachers and school administrators, distinct from those for heads of institutions. They also urge the TSC to strengthen teacher professional development and retooling in competencies required for CBE implementation.

The association further called for greater representation of women in school leadership and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. They also want improved inclusion of teachers with disabilities and those from marginalised communities. KECSHA wants the TSC to sustain recruitment and ensure equitable deployment, taking into account staffing needs in comprehensive schools and emerging curriculum demands.

President Ruto said that 50,000 teachers would be promoted in the current financial year, with the government setting aside Sh4 billion to facilitate the exercise. He also cited the recruitment of 100,000 teachers over the past four years, with another 20,000 expected to join in December. The President linked education financing to the digitisation of learner records, saying a recent government audit had identified about 800,000 non-existent pupils in primary school registers.

The government maintains that it has released more than Sh86 billion in capitation this year. Dr. Ruto said Sh44.2 billion was released in January, Sh23.4 billion in April, and Sh18.5 billion in August. He added that from 2027, capitation would be released before schools reopen. KECSHA wants the Ministry to guarantee adequate, predictable, and timely disbursement of capitation to enable schools to meet their operational, instructional, and infrastructure needs.

The conference, held at the Sheikh Zayed Children Welfare Centre in Mombasa from November 9 to 12, brought together heads of public primary and junior schools from the 47 counties. The meeting discussed foundational literacy and numeracy, learner protection, digital transformation, school meals, and environmental sustainability. The school heads called for stronger partnerships with parents and county governments to support the implementation of education reforms.

Key points

• School heads demand new career progression structure and legislation on comprehensive schools
• President Ruto backs the call for a legal framework and directs the Ministry of Education to work with KECSHA
• The government has released over Sh86 billion in capitation this year, with more funds expected to be released in 2027