Following the September 13th “Walimu na Rais” forum at State House, where 10,000 teacher delegates engaged directly with President William Ruto, a meeting between the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, and teacher unions representatives was convened to turn the feedback from that forum into concrete actions.
During the debriefing meeting PS Bitok and teacher Unions ironed on the following issues;
Implementing State House Proposals: The meeting marked the start of efforts to operationalize the proposals and directives that emerged from the “Walimu na Rais” forum, ensuring teacher concerns and ideas are translated into real reforms.
Comprehensive Schools Policy: Fast-tracking Parliamentary approval for Sessional Paper No. 1, which outlines the framework for comprehensive schools, was a key priority. This forms a central part of the government’s Elimu Thabiti education reform agenda.
Harmonizing Junior Secondary School (JSS) Teacher Representation: Stakeholders discussed the need to align union representation for JSS teachers to make sure their voices are effectively heard as reforms roll out and bring to an end leadership tussles.
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Promotion of P1 Teachers with Diplomas: The meeting explored strategies to recognize and promote P1 teachers who have earned diplomas, rewarding their professional growth and commitment to improving education quality.
Shift in Medical Insurance: A major update confirmed that teachers will transition from the Minet Kenya cover to the Social Health Authority (SHA) and be enrolled in the Public Service Medical Fund starting December 1, 2025.
Teacher Promotions: In line with the State House forum, interviews for over 21,000 teacher and Curriculum Support Officer (CSO) promotion slots were announced, with invitations already sent out in mid-September.
Capitation Fund Delays: Delayed capitation funds for schools were addressed, with PS Bitok assuring that efforts are underway to ensure all schools receive their funds by the end of September.
Union Leadership Concerns: While the meeting aimed to foster collaboration, some teachers continue to voice concerns about union leadership, feeling they are overly aligned with the government rather than fully representing teachers’ grievances, especially regarding the new medical cover.
Overall, the meeting set the stage for practical steps toward meaningful education reforms, while acknowledging the need to keep teacher voices at the center of decision-making.
By Our reporter
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