Education in Crisis: Strikes and the Future of Kenya’s Children.
In less than a month, two major strikes by teaching staff and a suspended one by students reflect a sector in turmoil.
The unrest highlights the deep challenges facing the education system, as further demonstrated by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba’s grilling in Parliament.
His first appearance before members of the National Assembly since assuming office occurred against the backdrop of growing discontent.
On Wednesday, Education CS Julius Ogamba faced tough questions about the state of education. Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula stressed the gravity of the matter, reminding MPs that the debate was a crucial issue impacting their constituents.
Mr. Ogamba’s last engagement with MPs was during his vetting process. This week’s session coincided with the start of a nationwide strike by university lecturers and non-teaching staff, who were demanding the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to improve their wages.
Mr. Ogamba also had to address safety concerns in schools following a tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, where 21 boys lost their lives. Despite the incident, no one has been held accountable two weeks later, a matter the CS described as regrettable.
He disclosed that 239 cases of unrest had occurred in secondary schools this year, with 106 involving fires, 35 of which had occurred in the third term, starting on August 26.
He emphasized the need for stricter compliance with safety guidelines and suggested converting policies into regulations to allow for penalties against offenders.
Challenges of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has been a contentious issue since its rollout in 2019, causing difficulties for successive CSs.
Former CS Amina Mohamed had warned that the country was unprepared for the CBC, and was soon moved from her post by then-president Uhuru Kenyatta. Her successor, Prof. George Magoha, pushed ahead with the implementation, despite objections from stakeholders.
One major challenge was the placement of junior secondary schools. The plan had been to transition students to secondary schools, with significant funding directed toward infrastructure upgrades.
However, President William Ruto reversed this plan shortly after taking office, following recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
The decision was made to domicile junior secondary in primary schools, dropping the term “secondary” in favor of “junior school.” Mr. Ezekiel Machogu succeeded Prof. Magoha as Education CS and oversaw a chaotic transition to Grade 7 in January 2023, followed by Grade 8 in 2024.
Public junior schools have faced teacher shortages, raising concerns about students’ preparedness for the shortened three-year senior school program. Most public primary schools also lack science laboratories, further complicating the transition.
Infrastructure and Staffing Gaps
MPs noted that 32,469 classrooms and laboratories needed to be constructed in primary schools to accommodate the 1.5 million learners set to join Grade 9 in January.
Meanwhile, the 46,000 teachers on contract deployed to junior schools are unqualified to teach many subjects, having received no specialized training.
These teachers have been pushing for permanent employment, while the government has promised to recruit 20,000 more educators. However, this number falls far short of the 116,000 teachers President Ruto had pledged to hire within two years during his campaign.
University Funding Controversies and Student Strikes
The challenges within higher education continue to mount, particularly with the new university funding model introduced last year.
The model, which leaves students with large loans upon graduation, has faced resistance from both students and their families.
It was the primary reason for the suspended student strike. This week, President Ruto appointed a 129-member committee to review the funding model, but the committee’s composition has already come under scrutiny. The group has two months to review the model and present their findings.
CS Ogamba informed MPs that 124,364 students had been placed in universities, but 14,174 were yet to report.
He explained that some students traditionally opt for private universities or other tertiary institutions. He also revealed that 75,000 students had already paid their household contributions, while 12,000 had filed appeals for funding. The funding portal will remain open until December 2024.
Secondary School Strikes and Teacher Demands
As the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams approach, with a start date of October 22, secondary school teachers are pushing for higher allowances to oversee the exams.
Despite Ogamba’s announcement of a nationwide inspection of schools to assess their compliance with safety standards, some principals reported a lack of inspection visits.
Education stakeholders are raising concerns about overcrowding in schools. A chief principal questioned what actions the CS had taken to address congestion, asking if he had personally visited the most overcrowded national and extra county schools to assess students’ sleeping arrangements.
Water Shortages and Parental Concerns
Parents, led by National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa, urged the CS to address the increasing unrest in schools. Obuhatsa noted that disruptions to learning have caused significant anxiety among parents.
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He pointed to the example of Dadachabasa Mixed Day Secondary School, where parents had taken action due to a lack of water. The school, located near the Cherab Sub-County bordering Wajir County, had suffered from severe water shortages that disrupted basic hygiene and sanitation, affecting both students and staff.
Dadachabasa’s water problems worsened over the past month after the village’s only borehole broke down and the dam supplying water dried up, leading to a crisis for both people and livestock.
Education in Crisis: Strikes and the Future of Kenya’s Children.
