President Ruto defends CBE, reveals plans to recruit 20,000 teachers

Speaking at the school grounds, the President said the school's founding in 1956 was driven by a belief that education has the power to change lives, shape nations, and transform the future.

"Today, 70 years later, we gather not just to celebrate the anniversary of a great institution, but to honour the vision of a generation of builders who understood that strong nations are built by empowered citizens," he said

Present during the fete were National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Kiambu Woman Rep Anne Muratha, Thika Town legislator Alice Ng'ang'a and former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

 The President used the opportunity to outline the reforms the government has implemented in the education sector, saying the changes are in tandem with the national aspirations.

 The President said the Competency-Based Education (CBE) takes into consideration the respective talents of all students. The previous system, he stated, produced many failures by assuming a one-size-fits-all approach, noting that CBE gives every learner an equal opportunity through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), arts, and humanities pathways.

 He said the government has addressed the challenges that faced schools three years ago by building 23,000 classrooms, hiring 100,000 teachers and providing clarity on where Junior Secondary Schools are situated.  

The government also plans to recruit 20,000 more this year to close the teacher-student ratio gap.  Additionally, the Head of State said, delays in school capitation are now a thing of the past.

 The President acknowledged the strain rapid enrolment growth has placed on school facilities, citing overcrowded classrooms, overstretched dormitories, and strained laboratories.

 "Our children deserve safe, dignified, and supportive learning environments," he said, emphasising the importance of making substantial investment in education, particularly school infrastructure.

 In the last three years, the budgetary allocation for education has risen from Ksh.500 billion to Ksh.702 billion currently, with plans to increase it further to Ksh.765 billion.

 "We treat funds put into education not as an expenditure but as an investment in the future workforce," Ruto remarked. 

 The President placed Thika High among Kenya's historic institutions, noting that he recently participated in marking centenaries at Alliance and Kapsabet Boys high schools, and 120 years at Maseno School.

 "As Kenya transformed economically and industrially, schools like this one transformed the human capacity that powers that transformation," he said.

 Founded in Thika's industrial heartland, the school has grown into a C1 National School offering all three Competency-Based Education (CBE) pathways. It now serves nearly 2,000 students from across the country, up from 600 a decade ago.

President Ruto highlighted the school's distinguished alumni, among them retired Supreme Court judges Jackton Boma Ojwang' and A.B. O'Kubasu, Senior Counsel Paul Muite and Kamotho Waiganjo, and former Cabinet secretary Moses Kuria and Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge.

 "Their lives remind us that education is not only about examinations and certificates, but about forming responsible citizens, building integrity, nurturing discipline, and preparing young people to serve society with honour," he said.

 President Ruto endorsed the school's plan to construct a modern Sports, Performing Arts and Digital Learning Centre, with a focus on coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, saying it aligned with Kenya's future economy.

 He called on the students to uphold the school's legacy of discipline and service. "You are heirs to a proud legacy. Many distinguished Kenyans once sat where you sit today. You, too, carry that same potential," he said.

 The President pledged to mobilise resources to build 35 classrooms, a 1,000-capacity dormitory and a hall to serve 2,000 students for the school.

 On infrastructure, President Ruto spoke of the government’s commitment to construct an expressway on Thika Road, from Nairobi to Thika town. He also reaffirmed the government's promise to deliver on the Mau Summit–Rironi road, saying the Rironi–Naivasha stretch would be complete by August this year.

 “When we said we are building this road, there were people who doubted us. We will shame them. The project is now progressing fast,” he stated. 

 On healthcare, the President said it is regrettable that six decades after independence, quality health services remain a preserve of the wealthy. He noted that he made the bold decision to roll out  Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure all Kenyans access quality healthcare.

Speaker Wetang'ula called for national unity, urging Kenyans to shun leaders who thrived on creating division. He also disclosed that the National Assembly had mobilised Ksh.12 million for the school, to be channelled towards renovation of school facilities and bursaries for needy students.