Members of Parliament (MPs) in Kenya are set to convene a one-day retreat with education sector experts to deliberate on six proposed Bills aimed at overhauling the nation’s education system. Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula confirmed the plan, emphasizing the critical nature of the legislation, which addresses every facet of education from early learning to tertiary institutions. The retreat, scheduled for October 6, 2026, will follow a public participation exercise led by the education committee, which is expected to conclude by the end of the week.
The six Bills under consideration include the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026; the Basic Education Bill, 2026; the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill, 2026; the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026; and the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026. These reforms seek to modernize governance, financing, teacher training, and assessment frameworks, with the Basic Education Bill targeting a comprehensive overhaul of existing legal structures governing primary and secondary education.
Wetang’ula highlighted the importance of the Bills, stating they would “completely change the structure of our education system.” The Speaker’s announcement came in response to concerns raised by Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, who requested an extension of the public participation period due to the Bills’ far-reaching implications. The education committee’s current phase of public consultations, which includes stakeholder feedback, is set to wrap up by Friday, paving the way for the Bills’ formal consideration in the House.
The Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, proposes a loan-based funding model for students, allowing them to repay after graduation to ease financial pressure on families. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill aims to replace the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) Act, establishing a new framework for national assessments. The Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill seeks to strengthen teacher preparation and professional development, while the KICD Amendment Bill aims to streamline curriculum development and eliminate overlaps with tertiary education policies.
Public participation on the Bills has drawn mixed reactions. Stakeholders, including educators and unions, have called for amendments to address concerns about implementation challenges and resource allocation. The education committee’s report on the feedback will precede the Second Reading of the Bills, followed by the Committee Stage, where MPs may propose amendments before final passage.
The reforms, if enacted, could reshape Kenya’s education landscape by improving accountability, equity, and quality. However, their success hinges on effective implementation, stakeholder collaboration, and addressing systemic bottlenecks. As the National Assembly prepares for the retreat, the focus remains on ensuring the Bills align with the needs of students, educators, and the broader public interest.
The National Assembly’s decision to prioritize the retreat underscores the gravity of the reforms. With the public participation phase nearing completion, the next steps will determine whether the proposed legislation can address long-standing challenges in Kenya’s education sector. The outcome of the retreat and subsequent parliamentary processes will be closely watched by stakeholders across the country.