Education Reforms in Limbo as Cabinet Approval Delays Progress

Written By Lisa Murimi

Kenya’s education reforms face significant setbacks as 11 proposed Bills by the Ministry of Education (MoE) await Cabinet approval, stalling the implementation of critical changes recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).

The reforms, outlined in June 2023, aimed to overhaul the system, including transitioning to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and restructuring public secondary school categorization. 

However, legislative delays have kept these reforms from reaching Parliament for enactment, jeopardizing timelines and creating uncertainty in the sector.

Key proposals, such as phasing out the classification of secondary schools and establishing career pathways like STEM, arts, and sports science, remain unaddressed. 

Similarly, the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), essential for career placement, has yet to be fully operationalized.

Other stalled initiatives include transferring Quality Assurance and Standards functions from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to the MoE, restructuring teacher management, and reorganizing resource distribution through a new School Learning and Instructional Materials Centre.

Stakeholders are concerned as schools prepare to reopen on January 6, 2025, with crucial Grade 9 textbook distributions still under outdated frameworks. 

Experts warn that continued delays risk further setbacks in Kenya’s efforts to achieve equity, quality, and relevance in education.