The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced plans to establish eight regional Special Needs Education assessment centres across the country in a move aimed at improving access to services for learners with disabilities.
Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education and Research to review the 2026/2027 Annual Estimates of Expenditure on Wednesday May 13, Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok said the centres will complement the work of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) by decentralising assessment services and bringing them closer to communities.
According to the PS, the initiative is part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen inclusive education and ensure that learners with special needs receive timely assessment, placement, and support.
Prof. Bitok noted that the planned centres are expected to ease the burden on parents and guardians who have been forced to travel long distances to access assessment services at KISE.
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The announcement comes amid ongoing reforms in the education sector aimed at improving efficiency, equity, and access to quality education under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
At the same time, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to addressing funding challenges affecting the education sector, including capitation, school infrastructure, examination administration, and school feeding programmes.
The PS also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing the directive requiring schools to release withheld certificates to former students, saying the move is essential in enabling affected learners to pursue further education and employment opportunities.
By Juma Ndigo
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