- Parliament has begun scrutinising education reform Bills covering tertiary financing, student placement, curriculum management and institutional governance.
- The proposals seek major changes to HELB, university and TVET funding while redefining roles across key education agencies.
- The Education Committee is engaging stakeholders before making recommendations that could reshape Kenya’s education system.
Kenya’s education sector is on the verge of a major policy transformation as Parliament begins scrutinising a new set of reform Bills designed to overhaul student financing, tertiary placement systems, curriculum management and institutional governance.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education has commenced consultations on legislative proposals arising from the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, with lawmakers seeking to ensure the proposed laws are aligned with existing policies while addressing challenges affecting the sector.
The Committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Hon. Julius Melly, held discussions with the Ministry of Education led by Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba as part of the ongoing review process.
The proposed reforms target four key areas through amendments to the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, the Kenya National Educational Assessment Council (Amendment) Bill, and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill.
New era for university and TVET funding
One of the most far-reaching proposals involves the restructuring of tertiary education financing through the creation of a new institution, the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA).
The proposed authority would bring together the functions of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Universities Fund Board and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Funding Board into a single financing agency.
Under the proposed framework, TEFA would become responsible for managing student loans, scholarships and other forms of financial support for learners in universities, TVET institutions and other tertiary colleges.
The government argues that consolidating these functions will reduce duplication, improve coordination and strengthen accountability in the management of public resources allocated to higher education.
The Bill also introduces a unified funding model based on means testing, where students’ financial assistance would be determined by factors such as household economic status, special needs, affirmative action considerations and the cost of their chosen programmes.
The proposed system seeks to ensure that financial support reaches students based on their level of need rather than applying a uniform funding approach.
Separating admissions from financial support
The proposed reforms also seek to redefine the role of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Under the new framework, KUCCPS would become the national placement agency responsible for admissions into all tertiary education institutions.
The Bill proposes a clear separation between placement and funding decisions, meaning admission would be determined by academic qualifications, merit and programme choices, while financial assistance would be handled separately through the proposed funding authority.
Lawmakers believe the separation will promote fairness, transparency and efficiency in the transition of learners from secondary schools to universities and colleges.
Changes proposed for schools, KICD and examinations
The Committee also reviewed proposed amendments to the Basic Education Act aimed at strengthening the legal position and responsibilities of heads of learning institutions.
The amendments seek to formally recognise school heads and define their roles as representatives of the Principal Secretary for Basic Education in implementing government policies and programmes.
The move is expected to provide clearer guidance on the responsibilities of principals and headteachers in managing institutions and executing national education directives.
Proposed changes to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act also featured during the Committee discussions.
The amendments seek to remove the Academic Committee from the KICD structure, with the argument that its functions overlap with those of the Council’s Board.
Instead, the Board would be granted flexibility to establish committees and expert panels whenever necessary to support curriculum development and other institutional responsibilities.
The Committee further considered amendments affecting the Kenya National Educational Assessment Council Act.
The proposed changes seek to remove plans for establishing a separate National Examination Appeals Tribunal.
Instead, examination-related disputes and appeals would continue to be handled through the existing Education Appeals Tribunal, avoiding the creation of multiple bodies dealing with similar functions.
Members of the Education Committee said the proposed reforms provide an opportunity to modernise Kenya’s education system by improving governance structures, strengthening accountability and creating a sustainable framework for financing learners.
However, the Committee will continue engaging stakeholders, including education sector players, before making final recommendations to the National Assembly.
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The outcome of the legislative review is expected to have significant implications for millions of learners, parents, teachers, universities, TVET institutions and education administrators as Kenya moves towards a new era of education management and financing.
By Hillary Muhalya
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