- Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba commended school principals for steering the implementation of Competency-Based Education during a critical transition period.
- He highlighted increased investment in education, teacher recruitment, infrastructure development and governance reforms to strengthen the sector.
- The CS urged school leaders to prioritise learner welfare, career guidance and collaboration as Kenya advances Competency-Based Education.
At the closing session of the 49th Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Conference held in Mombasa on June 26, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba delivered forward-looking remarks outlining the Government’s progress and priorities in implementing the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
The Cabinet Secretary began by expressing appreciation to secondary school principals from across the country for their commitment, resilience and leadership during a period of significant transition in Kenya’s education system.
He noted that principals have played a central role in stabilising reforms and ensuring the smooth implementation of Competency-Based Education at the school level, particularly during the rollout of the first Senior School cohort.
The CS described the successful transition of learners into Senior School as a historic milestone in Kenya’s education transformation.
He said the achievement marks a defining moment that demonstrates the country’s readiness to fully implement a pathway-based learning system aligned to learners’ talents, abilities and national development priorities.
Government investment in education
CS Ogamba reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to education through what he described as unprecedented investment in the sector, highlighting the allocation of KSh784.5 billion, the highest education budget in the country’s history.
He said the funding will continue supporting teacher recruitment, infrastructure development and the timely disbursement of capitation to improve preparedness and efficiency in schools.
The Cabinet Secretary further noted that 100,000 teachers have been recruited since 2023 to address staffing gaps and strengthen implementation of the new curriculum.
He also highlighted infrastructure expansion, including the construction of more than 23,000 classrooms and ongoing plans to establish 1,600 STEM laboratories to support practical and competency-based learning.
Governance and learner welfare
On governance, the CS announced continued reforms through proposed education bills aimed at strengthening accountability, assessment systems and overall management of the education sector.
He said the reforms are intended to build a more transparent, efficient and responsive education system.
Turning to learner welfare, CS Ogamba urged school leaders to strengthen career guidance and counselling programmes, particularly in addressing mental health challenges, substance abuse and the influence of social media on learners.
He emphasised that holistic education must remain at the centre of school leadership.
The Cabinet Secretary also reiterated the Government’s commitment to disciplined learning environments, encouraging schools to uphold lawful disciplinary practices while expanding co-curricular activities such as sports, music and drama to support learners’ overall development.
On inclusivity, he called for strengthened support systems for learners with disabilities and those with special educational needs, noting that equity remains a key pillar of the Competency-Based Education reforms.
Addressing school unrest
Addressing recent cases of unrest in schools, CS Ogamba acknowledged the emerging challenges and announced the formation of a Multi-Stakeholder Task Team to investigate the root causes and recommend sustainable solutions to restore stability in learning institutions.
He said the Government remains committed to working with education stakeholders to safeguard schools and ensure a conducive learning environment for all learners.
Call for collaboration
In his closing remarks, the Cabinet Secretary called for stronger collaboration between the Government, teachers, parents and communities, stressing that the success of Competency-Based Education depends on collective responsibility.
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He concluded that Kenya’s education transformation remains on course and expressed confidence that continued partnership among all stakeholders will ensure the education system produces competent, ethical and future-ready citizens.
By Hillary Muhalya
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