- Education stakeholders in Nyandarua and Laikipia have called for fairer funding and stronger support for vulnerable learners.
- They want timely tertiary funding, increased scholarships and enhanced capitation for learners requiring additional support.
- Stakeholders also presented differing views on JSS governance during public participation on proposed Education Reform Bills.
Education stakeholders in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties have called for fairer funding and stronger support for vulnerable learners as public participation on the proposed Education Reform Bills entered its second week.
The National Assembly Education Committee, chaired by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, received views from teachers’ unions, school heads, parents, learners, universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders during hearings held in the two counties.
In Nyandarua, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) called for decentralisation of tertiary education funding services to all regions and harmonisation of capitation with the financial year.
The association also raised concerns over a proposal requiring beneficiaries to repay education loans within one year, saying the period would be too short for many graduates.
At Laikipia University, student leaders called for timely disbursement of tertiary education funds, proposing that the money be released within 30 days of the beginning of every semester.
They also sought increased scholarships and a reduction of the proposed loan repayment rate from 25 per cent to 10 per cent.
“Loans should be reduced while scholarships should be increased,” a student leader said.
Nyandarua National Polytechnic called for government funding to be extended to trainees who are not placed through the central placement system, saying such learners risk being left out of financial support.
The institution also proposed the waiver of application fees for trainees from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Stakeholders further called for increased capitation for vulnerable learners and enhanced support for learners with disabilities.
A representative of persons with disabilities proposed the establishment of a national assistive devices fund, increased capitation for learners with special needs and measures to improve employment opportunities and working conditions for educators with disabilities.
Unions differ on JSS structure
On the structure of basic education, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KECSHA) supported retention of the comprehensive school model.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), however, called for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) to operate autonomously, with separate Boards of Management.
In Laikipia, KECSHA called for increased capitation for vulnerable children, institutionalisation of school feeding programmes in needy schools and stronger career guidance to help learners make informed choices on education pathways.
The Catholic Diocese of Nanyuki called for clarity on institutional sponsorship and proposed the expansion of the Programme for Pastoral Instruction (PPI) to all levels of education.
The Parents Association, meanwhile, backed stronger parental engagement in schools and called for a funded National Parents Association.
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The committee noted the concerns and recommendations raised by stakeholders, assuring them that their views would be considered and captured in its report.
By Alphonse Mutitu
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