Ailing education sector, two years into Kenya Kwanza administration

Junior Secondary students at Xavarian Junior Secondary School in Kisumu. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Two years after President William Ruto assumed office, Kenya's education sector continues to grapple with challenges ranging from teacher strikes and confusion over the academic calendar to higher education funding concerns

President Ruto had promised significant reforms in the education sector, including addressing the teacher shortage by recruiting more staff within the first two years.

His administration also pledged to enhance access to quality education by creating a council to merge the Higher Education Loans Board, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and university funding boards while increasing financial support for higher education.

Competency-Based Curriculum- CBC

One of the immediate hurdles the administration faced was the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and ensuring a 100 per cent transition to Junior Secondary.

CBC, introduced in December 2017, aimed to equip students with job-relevant skills, replacing the 8-4-4 knowledge-based system. Ruto promised to review the CBC to address concerns from parents, teachers, and other education stakeholders.

"As Kenya Kwanza, we support the shift from an exam-based education system to one that focuses on knowledge, skills, competencies, and values," said Ruto while unveiling the Kenya Kwanza education manifesto.

He added that UNESCO guidelines require a review of education curriculums every five years, and it was time to address concerns raised about CBC implementation, including costs, insufficient teacher training, staffing shortages, and limited learning facilities.

Honoring CBA

One of the administration's first actions was deploying intern teachers to Junior Secondary Schools for the transition to Grade 7. The Kenya Kwanza Manifesto had promised a one-year paid internship for graduates in teaching, technical, and medical fields, in partnership with industry players. However, this program has been plagued by delays, with intern teachers protesting for deployment letters and contracts.

In addition to these challenges, primary and secondary teachers, as well as university lecturers, have gone on strike over the government's failure to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

The most recent strike, in the third term, was called off after negotiations with the government.

School Calendar

Confusion over school opening and closing dates has also affected parents, teachers, and students.

On several occasions, abrupt changes by the Ministry of Education have caused uncertainty.

For example, in April 2024, the ministry announced a one-week delay in the second term’s start due to heavy rains. Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated, "The effects of the rains are severe, and it would be imprudent to risk lives before ensuring the safety of school communities."

Later, Ruto postponed the term "until further notice."

In the same term, students were released early for half-term amid fears of anti-government protests.

Hiring of Teachers

The administration had also promised to recruit 20,000 primary school teachers and 38,000 secondary school teachers annually. On CBC implementation, a working group appointed by the president provided recommendations for improving the curriculum.

Further promises included establishing a public university in each county and creating a National Open University to expand access and reduce university education costs. In August 2023, the president awarded a charter to the Open University of Kenya, located in Konza City, Machakos, but no additional universities have been established.

The administration also committed to equipping all TVET institutions in 52 constituencies and ensuring a national polytechnic in each of the 47 counties. Ruto had promised to allocate conditional grants to county governments to construct 250 Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in wards lacking such facilities.

Higher Education Funding Model

Controversy has arisen over the new higher education funding model introduced in May 2023, which classifies students into five categories based on need.

Previously, under the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, the government funded university students at Sh70,000 per student and provided a Sh37,000 loan, while TVET students received Sh30,000 in government sponsorship and a Sh26,000 loan.

Defending the new model, Ruto said, "This model ensures that students from vulnerable backgrounds receive 80-95% of their tuition through loans and scholarships."

However, the new system has sparked protests from students and parents, who argue it has made higher education less affordable. Many students have taken to the streets, demanding the abolition of the funding model.