KUPPET calls for suspension of hearings on six education bills

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for the suspension of ongoing public hearings on six education bills, including the Basic Education Bill, 2026, and the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, which seeks to centralise tertiary education financing.

The union is concerned that the process is rushed and non-inclusive. At the same time, Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa says the proposed law lacks clarity on the source of funding for the proposed Tertiary Education Funding Authority and the terms of borrowing for students.

This is even as the National Assembly Education Committee proceeded with public hearings on six bills that will shape the future of education in Kenya.

The bills include the Basic Education Bill, which is set to replace the Basic Education Act and align it with the competency-based system, and the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, which will create a centralised authority to provide financing to students.

The committee, which has split itself into two to cover more counties in a shorter amount of time, is holding hearings in Kisii, Kericho, Embu and Machakos.

“Parents want the return of the cane, hio ni maoni ya raia. Amalgamation of all teachers colleges into something like KMTC. And KNUT and KUPPET are on clash but we appreciate. That is what we call public participation,” said Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap.

And while the committee chair pledged that Kenyans will not only have their say but have their opinions taken on board...

“Kenyans have come of age. Doing what the Constitution of Kenya gave them. They are part of law-making; they're part of the leadership of this country. And we as members will give your views to the floor of the house and make sure the laws mirror what you've told us,” Education Committee Chair Julius Melly said.

KUPPET is of the view that the entire process, given the gravity of the bills under consideration, is entirely too rushed. And they are not the only ones.

“A law that will follow young Kenyans for decades should not be written to meet an intake date,” said Senator Karungo.

KUPPET raised several process issues in a press release on Thursday, including accessibility of the venues, stating:

“There has been no meaningful public sensitisation on the content and implications of these Bills before the public was asked to submit views... many venues are far from where most teachers, parents and learners live, effectively locking out ordinary citizens ....” KUPPET said.

KUPPET is concerned that not only is the consequential legislation not anchored in policy but is absent a costing framework, setting it up for failure.

“Debating detailed law before the underlying policy is settled risks locking in structures and funding models that a future policy may later contradict, forcing costly amendments soon after the law takes effect,” KUPPET added.

“Sound legislation needs a clear financial roadmap showing how reforms — including tertiary placement and funding — will be paid for, over what timeline and from which resources.”

Gaps were also flagged by Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa in a press statement of his own.

“Mr President you told Kenyans that every placed student will receive funding. Every child deserves to know whether the funding is a gift or a debt. Where will the money come from? If the exchequer is not paying... if investors come in, what return will they expect, and who guarantees it, when a graduate cannot find work who carries the risk? The investor, the taxpayer or the young Kenyan without a job,” said the Senator.

South Rift Catholic Secretary Schools John Kirui added, “The framework does not state clearly the framework for school meals.”

KUPPET is taking the position that public hearings on the legislative proposals should be suspended to allow the public opportunity to carefully interrogate their content and consider the long-term implications.

The committee is scheduled to hold hearings in Meru, Narok, Kirinyaga and Kajiado on Friday.