Universal education, as declared by PS Bitok, remains a fixed commitment
In a significant move towards prioritising education, the Kenyan government has allocated KSh 702.7 billion to the education sector for the 2025/26 fiscal year. This marks the largest investment ever made in education, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year.
The increased funding aims to support basic, secondary, and higher education, with a focus on free primary and secondary education as a constitutional right. However, challenges remain, including rising teacher hiring costs, the expanded Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), and inflation that threatens to diminish the impact of the budget.
To address these issues, the government has outlined plans to strengthen education management systems. This includes revising the student data platform by replacing NEMIS with KEMIS to address inefficiencies and data integrity issues. Additionally, policies promote adopting online procurement and enhancing digital infrastructure, digital skills development, and closing the digital divide in schools.
At Ortum Boys High School, a milestone was reached as they unveiled a five-year roadmap for academic excellence, infrastructure expansion, and student welfare programs. The school's vision was encouraged by parents and other stakeholders, reflecting the government's commitment to inclusive education.
In West Pokot County, Governor Simon Kachapin has allocated KSh 500 million to support education for over 52,000 learners, including bursaries and school infrastructure development. This commitment to education has been echoed by local MPs, such as Samuel Moroto, who emphasised the importance of ensuring no child is left behind due to lack of school fees or basic infrastructure.
The government's focus on reducing illiteracy and poverty levels is evident in their key investments in education and health. Through Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang, the government is making significant strides in improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
As Kenya moves forward with its largest ever education budget allocation, the focus remains on improving learning outcomes, digitalising education, and sustaining inclusive education to ensure every child has access to quality education.
In an effort to ensure quality education for all, the government plans to allocate resources towards health, business, and other essential sectors like education-and-self-development and politics, recognising these areas as integral to overall societal growth. Given the government's vow to reduce illiteracy and poverty levels, it's expected that politics will prioritize policies that improve health and education infrastructure. Meanwhile, the ongoing digitalisation of education, exemplified by the reform of the student data platform, aims to bridge the digital divide in schools, enhancing general-news worthy developments.
