Stakeholders in the education sector are warning of a looming crisis in the rollout of Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system if the government fails to resolve its financial dispute with publishers in time.
The Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) is demanding Ksh11.4 billion from the government for books already supplied for Grade 9 learners and the rationalization of lower primary textbooks.
The publishers have cautioned that without the pending payment, the production and delivery of learning materials for Grade 10, scheduled for January 2026, will be severely disrupted.
KPA Chairperson Kiarie Kamau said publishers are ready to supply textbooks for at least 35 learning areas and that delivery was planned for between October and December 2025 to ensure learners have materials by the start of the academic year.
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“Failure to settle the outstanding dues has left the industry financially strained, affecting printers, distributors, and the entire book value chain,” Kamau noted.
The warning comes as approximately 7 million textbooks and literary works are required for the pioneer cohort of Grade 10 students, who are set to transition to senior school next year.
Speaking at Grasten Academy in Witeithie, Juja Sub-county, Kiambu, educationists and parents urged the government to act swiftly to prevent disruption in learning.
The school’s Director, Josephine Wanjiru Waweru, said the curriculum was at a “critical stage” and appealed to the Ministry of Education to prioritize settling dues owed to publishers to facilitate smooth learning.
“We are pleading with the government to pay the publishers so that they can print and distribute enough books in time. The curriculum is at a crucial stage, and any delay will jeopardize learning,” she said.
Waweru further urged the government to address other industry challenges, including the 16 percent VAT that has strained publishers’ operations.
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AIPCA Bishop Paul Muhia echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that clearing the debts would ensure quality and affordable learning materials. He also called on the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to avoid last-minute changes to approved books, which he said confuse teachers and burden parents financially.
“Last year, we saw books being changed at the last minute, forcing parents to buy new ones unexpectedly. Such confusion should be avoided,” said Bishop Muhia.
Parents Lilian Njeri and Mary Wacera also voiced concern that delays in settling publishers’ dues could affect their children’s learning.
“The delays threaten the timely delivery of textbooks and could leave students stranded at the start of the new academic year,” said Njeri. “The government should pay up to avoid disruptions in the education sector.”
By John Kamau
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