Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has urged primary school teachers to fully embrace digital innovation to ensure every child has access to quality education. Speaking at the 25th Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa, Koskei highlighted the essential role of technology in breaking educational barriers and fostering inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. The conference, themed “Transformative Leadership in the Digital Transition for Inclusive and Sustainable Quality Basic Education in Kenya,” brought together over 15,000 head teachers committed to advancing Kenya’s education sector.
Koskei emphasized that integrating digital technology is not merely a choice but a necessity to prepare Kenyan children for the 21st-century workforce. By collaborating with stakeholders and harnessing digital tools, he asserted, the education sector could better equip students with the competencies, skills, attitudes, and values essential for a technology-driven world. “We stand at the crossroads of a digital revolution, where education is not just a pathway to knowledge; it’s a cornerstone for innovation, equity, and sustainability,” Koskei stated.
The chief of staff outlined the government’s digital transition plan, aimed at ensuring that students from all backgrounds including those in remote areas gain access to quality learning opportunities. By leveraging technology, students in underserved regions can connect with the same educational resources as their urban counterparts, thus narrowing the educational equity gap. This vision of inclusive digital transformation aligns with the government’s commitment to Free Compulsory Basic Education, a constitutional right for every Kenyan child.
Embracing Digital Transformation in Education
Koskei underscored that the global digital transformation presents Kenya with a unique opportunity to bridge its digital divide and improve educational outcomes. He urged teachers to see digital tools as a way to enhance student engagement, foster critical thinking, and encourage creativity, all of which are vital skills in today’s fast-evolving world. The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), he noted, is well-aligned with this digital shift. Through CBC, Kenya aims to prepare students with the skills necessary for the 21st-century job market, including digital literacy, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.
Koskei emphasized that transitioning to digital learning requires more than just introducing devices into classrooms it calls for a complete rethinking of how educators teach and how students learn. The integration of digital literacy into the curriculum, he argued, is a forward-thinking approach that encourages creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking. He called on teachers to adopt a mindset of transformative leadership, where technology is harnessed not just for convenience but as a tool to foster inclusivity, accessibility, and learning excellence.
Prudent Use of Capitation Funds and Accountability
Koskei also stressed the importance of transparency and prudent resource management, especially with the capitation funds allocated to primary and junior schools. The government has allocated Ksh 627.7 billion for the education sector in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, with Ksh 24.217 billion set aside for primary schools and Ksh 30.7 billion for junior schools. Such substantial funding, he noted, reflects the government’s trust in head teachers and school administrators to ensure responsible use of resources, ultimately benefiting Kenyan children.
Teachers were reminded to uphold the principles of the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act, which advocate for transparency and accountability. Koskei urged educators to see these statutes as essential, not merely procedural, to maintaining integrity and an impeccable audit trail. “By following these guidelines, we embody accountability and integrity, affirming our commitment to the responsible stewardship of public resources,” he emphasized.
Infrastructure and Transition Challenges
Addressing challenges related to infrastructure, Dr. Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Basic Education, assured head teachers that the government is making progress in building new classrooms to accommodate the growing student population. With the construction of 16,000 classrooms for Grade 9 underway, the PS assured that they would be ready for use in January. Dr. Kipsang also highlighted the importance of setting aside maintenance resources to ensure that these new classrooms remain in optimal condition for students. As Kenya continues to roll out CBC, there are also plans to integrate laboratories into schools to strengthen the program’s foundation and foster a seamless transition for learners.
The government’s commitment to supporting schools with capitation funds was also reiterated by Dr. Kipsang. He assured educators that funds would be disbursed on time, ensuring that resources are available at the beginning of each term. “Despite the fiscal challenges we face as a country, we remain committed to making our children the first priority for resources through capitation,” he said.
Calls for Increased Funding and Cost Adjustments
KEPSHA Chairman Johnson Nzioka voiced the teachers’ concerns and called on the government to increase the capitation allocation for primary schools, as recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. He noted that the current budget for classroom construction capped at Ksh 1 million per classroom needs adjustment to meet the actual costs and ensure sustainable learning environments. Nzioka assured the government of KEPSHA’s commitment to supporting the 100% transition to Grade 9 and ensuring that every learner has access to adequate learning spaces.
Nzioka also reiterated the significance of adjusting capitation to match the evolving needs of the primary education sector. With the CBC program underway, schools require resources to meet new demands, including infrastructure, teaching materials, and digital tools. By increasing funding, the government would empower head teachers to address these challenges effectively.
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