President William Ruto highlighted the strides made by his government in addressing the longstanding challenges within Kenya’s education sector. The President emphasized the critical reforms introduced by the Kenya Kwanza administration, which have focused on securing greater access to education, resolving financial issues at universities, and addressing teacher shortages.
Ruto noted that when his administration took office, the education sector was in a crisis. One of the most significant challenges was the unclear transition from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Schools were struggling to cope with a severe shortage of 110,000 teachers, and many public universities were facing financial insolvency. As of then, 23 out of the 40 public universities were deeply in debt, with some even at risk of closure. He pointed out that even major institutions like the University of Nairobi were grappling with financial difficulties, a scenario that had affected the education system’s overall efficiency and access.
In response to these issues, Ruto’s government has worked to turn the sector around. The administration introduced a new, student-based higher education funding model, which Ruto said has made significant improvements in ensuring that vulnerable students can access tertiary education. Under this new funding model, the government now offers up to 95% sponsorship for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, making higher education more accessible to a broader range of Kenyans. This move, Ruto asserted, has also helped to stabilize the financial standing of universities, alleviating the threat of closure for most institutions.
One of the government’s most impactful decisions has been the recruitment of teachers. The President proudly stated that his government has hired 56,000 teachers and plans to recruit an additional 20,000 teachers by January 2025. This move addresses the critical shortage of educators and ensures that the education system can handle the increasing number of learners. This measure aligns with the government’s efforts to improve the quality of education while maintaining a stable learning environment for students.
Further, Ruto assured Kenyans that the government has taken steps to streamline the transition from primary to junior school. With the pioneer class set to join Grade 9 in January, the government has worked to ensure a seamless transition for students. One significant reform is the decision to domicile Grade 6 to 9 learners in primary schools, a move that optimizes existing infrastructure, ensures the safety of students, and reduces the financial burden on parents who would otherwise incur additional costs in sending their children to boarding schools in distant locations.
Despite these positive changes, Ruto acknowledged that some challenges persist within certain universities. Moi University, in particular, has been embroiled in an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct, with senior officials accused of embezzling funds. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been investigating the matter, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Kosgey, being questioned by detectives. The President, however, assured that such internal governance issues will be addressed. “The remaining challenges for a few universities like Moi University are related to internal administrative and governance issues, which I have given firm instructions that they should be addressed,” he said.
In a bid to further expand opportunities for higher education, the government also launched the Open University of Kenya, an institution designed to provide flexible learning options for students across the country. The first cohort of students at the Open University is set to graduate on November 29, 2024, marking another milestone in the government’s efforts to improve education access.
Ruto concluded his address by reflecting on the broader challenges faced by his administration. He pointed to the high cost of living, the ongoing drought, and the global economic disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war as factors that had made the country’s situation difficult. Despite these challenges, he said, the government has made notable progress in improving the education sector, which remains central to the development agenda of his administration.
