Education

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.

Many universities also own commercial properties such as hotels and malls, which remain largely untapped as sources of revenue.

UASU is particularly against proposals such as increasing the frequency of UoN council meetings to bi-weekly and introducing governance changes.

CUE said Northwestern Christian University is neither registered nor authorised to confer degrees in Kenya.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), aims to address infrastructural challenges in schools by leveraging digital technology.

This financial crisis is causing deep concern among employees, many of whom face the prospect of retiring without the pension benefits they have worked hard for over the years.

Ogamba urged the public to disregard erroneous reports, affirming that all candidates who meet the C+ entry requirement are eligible for university placement, continuing the government's commitment to expanding access to higher education.

In the 2024 KCSE exams, 246,391 candidates attained the minimum university entry grade of C+, an increase of 45,258 from the previous year.

The teachers claim that the proposed changes were introduced without sufficient consultation with the union's members.

Anangwe obtained orders revoking the Gazette notice announcing his ouster and obtained further orders prohibiting the Ministry of Education from recruiting a chairman for the UoN council pending a hearing and determination of his application.

Justice Mwita strongly criticised the government's move to shift the burden of funding public universities onto parents.

The audit also uncovered irregular payments to students who had not yet been admitted to any institution.

Inyangala warned that students and their families, particularly those from middle- and low-income backgrounds, would bear a greater financial burden.

During extended school closures, WhatsApp emerged as the most widely used platform for remote learning.

Despite the suspension of the new funding model, Wahome clarified that applications for technical vocational education and training and the Kenya Medical Training College slots remain open.

UASU had called for the removal of University Council Chairperson Amukoa Anangwe, whom they accused of sabotaging operations.

More than 982,197 secondary school students under the Free Secondary Education (FSE) programme face uncertainty due to a Sh21.85 billion funding gap, raising fears of disruptions in learning.

The lawmakers accused the council's chairman, Prof Amukoa Anangwe, of interfering with the institution’s management.

The association has now called on the government to prioritise school funding, warning that without urgent intervention, the growing performance gap will continue to disadvantage students.

According to UASU, powerful government officials are plotting to seize university land located opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and near Hotel Boulevard.

Only Sh86.83 billion has been allocated for scholarships, loans, and capitation, against a required Sh145.54 billion.

Schools and examination centres must log into the KNEC registration portal using their credentials to submit candidates’ details.

The proposal suggests that fees in national schools be raised from the current Sh53,554 to Sh73,182 per year, an increase of Sh19,628.

His career was dedicated to improving the quality of primary education in the country, where he guided over 24,000 headteachers.

A report by the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has revealed that the government is allocating only Sh10,000 per student annually, far below the expected Sh22,244.

With rising enrolment numbers, the government has been struggling to meet the full costs on time, leading to deficits in the national exams body.

Kenya Association of Private Universities warns that the financial strain is affecting the operations of private universities, which are struggling to cover costs.

Officials say that unsupervised off-campus housing is to blame for the rise in drug abuse and bad behaviour among students.

KESSHA accused TSC of transferring more than 47 teachers from various schools in Turkana County without ensuring continuity of learning for students.

The report says that students prioritise opportunities to gain work experience while studying, alongside financial aid and scholarship availability.

KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima expressed concern, stating that teachers are facing increased barriers to receiving treatment.

While the referral hospitals have been redefined, the medical scheme panel still includes 800 healthcare facilities across all counties and sub-counties in Kenya. Of these, only about 60 operate on a referral basis, meaning over 740 facilities will remain open for walk-in access.

The proposed measures align with the authority’s commitment to enhancing school transport safety in line with global best practices.

UASU wants the retirement age for graduate assistants, tutorial fellows, assistant lecturers, and junior research fellows to be raised to 70 years.

The case, which was filed by two NGOs and a human rights activist, was dropped following the school’s commitment to operate solely as a day institution.

The transfers are part of ongoing preparations for leadership changes within the TSC and an effort to bring fresh leadership and management across various regions.

The CS confirmed the release and noted that each student will receive between Sh40,000 and Sh60,000.

Learners from Egerton University and the University of Nairobi stormed Helb’s headquarters at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi, decrying the delay.

KICD CEO Charles Ong’ondo urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid exposing learners to content that has not met the required standards set by the institute.

Parents and guardians of school-going children are required to register them on the Social Health Authority through URL afyangu.go.ke or by dialling (*147#) and following the instructions.

The council has also sent two Deputy Vice Chancellors, Isaac Migeni and Henry Kiriamiti, on one-year leave as part of the sweeping leadership changes.

CS Ogamba assured the public that the government is committed to addressing concerns raised by partners, ensuring fairness in the upcoming exams.

Schools are required to log into the KNEC Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal using their centre log-in credentials.