The Parliamentary Committee on Education convened a public forum at Migori Teachers Training College to gather input on proposed education reforms, including bills aimed at overhauling school funding and administration. Committee Chair and Tinderet MP Julius Meli emphasized that all stakeholder submissions would be considered, noting the event marked the second-to-last stop in a national tour before concluding in Nyamira County. The discussions centered on six key bills, such as the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill and the Basic Education Bill, with particular focus on the autonomy of junior secondary schools (JSS).
Conflict emerged between primary and secondary teachers' unions over whether JSS should operate independently. KUPPET Branch Organising Secretary Henry Otunga advocated for administrative separation, arguing that the current model's underfunding and operational inefficiencies hindered effective management. He highlighted that the proposed legislation would not restrict teachers' right to protest during national exams, as guaranteed by the 2010 Constitution. In contrast, KNUT chairlady Roseline Wandigi warned that separating JSS from secondary schools would disrupt the seamless transition between basic education levels, stressing the need for unified governance.
Stakeholders also opposed a provision in the bills to have County Education Boards (CEB) chaired by County Commissioners, citing concerns about militarizing academic institutions. A delegate noted that education governance should remain in the hands of professional administrators, not security-focused officials. Meanwhile, Philip Nyonjalo of the Tertiary Institution branch called for teacher training institutions to be excluded from the basic education framework, urging access to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding for trainees and reclassification of tutors under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as public servants.
The forum underscored broader tensions over resource allocation and institutional structure in Kenya's education system. With key unions like KNUT and KUPPET representing conflicting interests, the outcome of these debates could shape the future of school management and teacher welfare. The committee's final recommendations, informed by public input, will be critical in balancing operational efficiency with equitable resource distribution across educational levels.