Education

They argue that the hardship allowance, being the only allowance specific to their working conditions, must be adjusted to reflect the daily struggles teachers face.

Speaking during a press briefing, Oyuu decried what he termed as the TSC’s abdication of its legal role, saying the commission had surrendered its constitutional authority to political operatives.

At present, various bodies, including governors, Members of Parliament, ward representatives, the Ministry of Education, and the President, are all giving out bursaries to needy learners.

Machakos County topped the list with 690 promotions, contrasting sharply with Garissa’s 303, the lowest among all counties.

HELB has processed over 109,000 funding requests from new students that had been delayed due to a High Court ruling in December 2024, which temporarily halted the new funding model.

According to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), 104,514 of the 246,391 eligible candidates have applied for placement in degree programmes.

MPs say CUE’s weak oversight has eroded academic standards and left students vulnerable to fraudulent institutions operating without proper accreditation.

KNUT has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to include the proposed pay rise, alongside a host of other demands, in the next CBA scheduled to take effect from July 2025.

The placement service has listed 26 courses, both diploma and certificate, that currently have limited vacancies, encouraging students to apply before the deadline.

Among the biggest debtors are Kenyatta University, which owes Sh12.38 billion, the University of Nairobi with Sh12.22 billion, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, whose debt stands at Sh9.13 billion.

The report also pointed to the introduction of the Privately Sponsored Students Programme (PSSP), commonly referred to as Module II, as a major contributor to the growing university student population.

Speaking while responding to questions from Senators, Kabogo said the government had already partnered with the European Union (EU) to develop a comprehensive policy on AI adoption.

As doubts over Nemis grow, MPs say the audit is necessary to safeguard public funds and ensure that no student is left behind due to data gaps.

The new technology-based assessment system will require schools to invest in upgraded ICT infrastructure, including computers, servers, and a stable internet connection.

The MPs sitting on the committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, ordered an immediate forensic audit of the university’s finances dating back to 2013. The Auditor General has been given three months to complete and submit the findings.

The MPs argued that the promotions, which had been celebrated by some, were skewed and unfair, with certain counties benefiting disproportionately from the advancements.

The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) told the committee that TUK stopped complying with the required contributions in 2013, and since then, no proper action has been taken to fix the issue.

The session saw the MPs suspending all other businesses and threatening to boycott the sitting in protest over the delays.

TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia attributed the prolonged stagnation to years of underfunding, which she said had crippled the implementation of career progression guidelines.

The project will increase the university’s student housing capacity through the development of a new 2,000-bed hostel at the main campus and two 1,000-bed hostels at the Chiromo and Kenyatta Medical campuses.

The changes follow weeks of pressure and unrest at the University of Nairobi, where internal tensions over leadership and governance have drawn public attention.

The delocalisation policy requires the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to transfer teachers to areas outside their place of origin to prevent conflicts of interest in school management.

The university continues to face a serious financial burden, with management disclosing that its debts have climbed beyond Sh12 billion.

Mwale is also seeking clarification on the reasons behind the deployment of anti-riot police and the excessive use of force during the event, as well as the steps the Ministry will take to prevent such violations from recurring.

Echoes of War is a play that tackles themes such as technology, governance, and social justice, highlighting the role of youth and digital spaces in shaping the future of a nation healing from civil unrest.

Macharia explained that the reversal of delocalisation has created a significant challenge in balancing teacher staffing across different regions.

With the court’s latest clarification, counties can now move forward with distributing bursaries already included in their budgets.

Senior school under the competency-based curriculum is set to be rolled out in January 2026, marking a critical phase in the ongoing education reforms.

The CEO also addressed complaints from students over the amounts they qualify for when applying for loans and scholarships, saying the issue often stems from inaccurate data submitted during the application process.

PS Bitok reminded schools that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act, 2012, explicitly bars withholding examination certificates for any reason, including unpaid fees.

The decentralisation of transcript collection is expected to ease the financial burden on graduates, particularly those who need their transcripts for employment abroad.

KNEC aims to boost the ability of educators to create quality assessment tools aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum.

According to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, the situation is exacerbated by budget constraints that could impede the recruitment and promotion of teachers, further straining Kenya’s education system.

Kiptis explained that while the current results highlight the extent of the issue, KNQA expects a clearer picture by the end of the year when the exercise is projected to be 80 per cent complete.

From next month, TVET institutions will move away from traditional theory-based learning, adopting a more practical, competency-based approach.

The decline in student numbers has led to reduced revenue, making it challenging for the institution to meet its financial obligations, including paying staff salaries.

MPs have now called for honesty in government budgeting and policy formulation to prevent recurring financial crises in the education sector.

Senators want the government to establish a long-term strategy to prevent further funding delays as schools face mounting arrears of Sh67 billion.

KUPPET called for a review of the promotion process to ensure fairness, advocating for a merit-based approach that considers staffing levels in different counties.

The list, accessible on the TSC website, includes 25,252 teachers who have been successful in their applications for promotions.

The financial query comes at a time when the state department is grappling with myriad financial challenges in the higher education subsector.

KUCCPS CEO Mercy Wahome announced that the centres will be operational from April 2 to April 13, 2025, providing guidance to applicants seeking placement in various institutions of higher learning.

The court also took issue with the Sh50 convenience fee imposed on transactions, declaring that it has no legal basis.

The second term is expected to begin on April 28 and will last for 14 weeks.

Ogamba reiterated that the government would continue implementing the funding model until the Court of Appeal delivers its final ruling on the case.

KNEC advised that any queries regarding the certificates must be submitted in writing through the heads of institutions.

In his petition, Kinyua cited procedural irregularities, lack of public participation, voting manipulations, intimidation of delegates, and the imposition of high nomination fees as major concerns.

In a statement on Friday, KUCCPS announced that candidates who scored a mean grade of C+ and above are eligible to apply for placement in various universities.

According to the KMTC CEO, the lack of funding placed a significant burden on students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Legislators expressed concern over the lack of SRC approval, arguing that the payments may have breached financial regulations.

The architects argue that eliminating Mathematics could have significant consequences for students' career readiness, especially in sectors crucial to Kenya's economic growth.

The Court of Appeal, however, directed the government agencies to notify the stakeholders of the possibility of changes in the course of the hearings of the appeal.

The workers are now demanding an urgent meeting with the institution’s board members, Ministry of Education officials, and local leaders to resolve the issue before they proceed with industrial action.

HELB has periodically introduced such waivers to encourage loan repayment among former beneficiaries who have struggled to meet their financial obligations.

This proposal comes amid pressure from MPs demanding a permanent solution for thousands of former students whose certificates remain in schools due to unpaid fees.

The principals claim the system limits opportunities for teachers from areas with a high number of qualified candidates while favouring regions with fewer eligible applicants.

PS Muganda reassured the Committee that the government was actively working to resolve the legal challenges surrounding the model.

The principals have urged the Ministry of Education to resolve the issue urgently to ensure smooth operations in schools.

KUCCPS CEO Agnes Mercy Wahome said the agency had received details of available capacities from universities and was awaiting board approval to announce the exact date for opening the portal.

The establishment of the new state department comes just a day after President Ruto announced his intention to create a dedicated unit for research and innovation.

The university's accreditation follows approval from the CUE, which had raised concerns about the legitimacy of institutions offering unrecognised degrees.

Interviews for the position are scheduled for March 21, 2025, at the Public Service Commission headquarters on Harambee Avenue, Nairobi.

Ogamba termed the practice of withholding the certificates illegal and unacceptable instructing all schools to release them immediately.

Ogamba confirmed that HELB had disbursed the funds on Friday, March 15. He noted that a total of 31,263 TVET trainees and 33,863 university students would benefit from the allocation.

Grade 9 learners will be placed in personalized learning pathways that cater to their strengths, needs, and interests instead of following fixed age or grade-level standards.

The students vowed to continue boycotting classes until their grievances were addressed, insisting that without urgent reforms, the institution would fail to produce competent maritime professionals.

The amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2026, have sparked controversy, with critics accusing national officials of entrenching themselves in power while making leadership opportunities exclusive to the wealthy and elderly.

Under the school heads’ proposal, parents with children in national schools would see fees rise from Sh53,554 to Sh73,182 annually, an increase of Sh19,628.

KUPPET has warned that if the government fails to address the outstanding issues within the next seven days, teachers across the country will down tools, further disrupting the education sector.

Last December, the High Court declared it unconstitutional, ruling that it was discriminatory and lacked public participation.

Early Learning and Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the move will give learners and parents ample time to make informed decisions.

According to the Council, the timetable was released early to allow for feedback from stakeholders and to help schools adequately prepare candidates.

Monari takes over from Charles Ringera, whose decade-long tenure ended in December last year.

Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala painted a grim picture of the sector’s financial woes. She warned that without additional funding, universities could shut down before the end of the financial year.

The President also issued a stern warning to those responsible for the disbursement, stating that he would personally hold them accountable if the money was not sent as promised.

He emphasised that all students will have the freedom to choose their preferred path, whether in STEM, social sciences, or sports, but noted that "the common denominator will be languages."

The TSC now awaits Parliament’s decision on the Sh17 billion request, which will determine whether teachers' salaries, insurance, and promotions remain secure in the coming months.

The commission, in a notice released on Tuesday, published an updated list of 94 universities, revealing that only 79 are accredited to operate.

The decision allows universities and other institutions to offer the course, which is a prerequisite for admission to the Bar.

The rankings were based on factors such as academic and employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations in research, and international research collaborations.

Ogamba said that the Ministry of Education is working closely with the Treasury to ensure the outstanding Sh14 billion for first-term capitation is disbursed by next week.

The committee was shocked to learn that for 15 years, the university deducted employee contributions but failed to remit both employee and employer contributions to the custodian bank, KCB.

The CS said the Presidential taskforce reviewing the 2023 model is finalising its recommendations to ensure equitable financing.

The Ministry of Education urges stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and education officials, to actively participate in these discussions to ensure the successful implementation of CBE.

Some had not paid their rent and were on the verge of being evicted. Others could not afford medical bills, while some were running out of food supplies, forcing them to rely on aid from friends and relatives.

KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said the 36 public TTCs will admit students into Diploma in Primary and Secondary Teacher Education programmes.

More than 1.2 million Grade 9 learners are expected to sit for the KJSEA in November ahead of their transition to Senior School next year.