A fresh review of proposed changes to Kenya's education laws is underway in Parliament, with lawmakers beginning detailed discussions on Bills that seek to overhaul student funding, streamline placement into tertiary institutions and strengthen governance across the education sector.
The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education, chaired by Julius Melly (Tinderet), held a consultative session with the Ministry of Education led by Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to consider the proposed legislation.
The Committee examined the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, the Kenya National Educational Assessment Council (Amendment) Bill and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill.
The review is part of efforts to implement recommendations contained in the Report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform while ensuring the proposed laws fit within the current legal and policy framework. Members are also assessing the financial implications of the reforms before making recommendations to the National Assembly.
A major proposal contained in the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill is the formation of the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA), which will combine the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Universities Fund Board and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Funding Board into one institution.
The proposed authority will be responsible for managing student financing in higher learning institutions, including scholarships and loans, with the aim of creating a more coordinated and efficient funding system.
The Bill also proposes a single funding framework that will rely on means testing when allocating financial support. Under the proposal, a student's financial background, special needs, affirmative action considerations and the cost of the selected programme will all be taken into account before funding is awarded.
It further allows minors admitted to tertiary institutions to qualify for education loans and outlines how students will apply for funding, receive loans and scholarships, and repay the loans. The proposal also provides for recovery of loans from beneficiaries living outside the country.
The Committee also discussed plans to designate the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) as the national placement agency for all tertiary institutions.
Under the proposed arrangement, student admission and financial support will be handled separately. Placement will depend on qualifications, merit and programme preference, while funding decisions will be made independently.
Lawmakers also reviewed proposed amendments to the Basic Education Act that seek to formally recognise heads of institutions and define their responsibilities as representatives of the Principal Secretary for Basic Education in implementing government education policies and programmes.
Changes proposed to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act seek to remove the Academic Committee after finding that its responsibilities overlap with those of the Council's Board. The Board would instead have powers to establish committees and panels whenever necessary.
The Committee also examined amendments to the Kenya National Educational Assessment Council Act. The proposed changes seek to drop the planned National Examination Appeals Tribunal, with examination-related disputes instead being handled by the existing Education Appeals Tribunal.
Members observed that the proposed reforms are intended to improve management within the education sector, strengthen coordination among tertiary institutions and create a more sustainable system for student placement and funding. The Committee will continue engaging stakeholders before preparing its final report for debate in the House.