President William Ruto has outlined the strides made by his administration to tackle challenges in Kenya’s education sector since taking office.
Speaking during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, the President said the sector was in a state of crisis when Kenya Kwanza assumed power. Key issues included the lack of clarity in transitioning from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), a shortage of 110,000 teachers, and financial struggles in 23 out of 40 public universities, many of which were technically bankrupt and at risk of closure.
“Among the institutions facing challenges was my own alma mater, the University of Nairobi,” Ruto said.
The President noted that his government has since addressed these issues, giving the education sector a fresh start. He highlighted the introduction of a new student-based higher education funding model and the hiring of additional teachers.
“We have hired 56,000 teachers and are on course to recruit another 20,000 by January next year,” he stated.
Ruto emphasized the seamless transition of learners from primary to junior secondary schools, with the pioneer CBC class set to join Grade 9 in January.
He credited the decision to domicile Grades 6 to 9 in primary schools for ensuring optimal use of existing infrastructure, enhancing learner safety, and reducing boarding school expenses for parents.
The President said the new university funding model has also boosted access to higher education, with the government sponsoring up to 95% of the cost for vulnerable students.
This approach, he noted, has stabilized many universities that were on the brink of collapse by providing sufficient resources.
“The remaining challenges for a few universities, like Moi University, are related to internal administrative and governance issues, which I have directed be urgently addressed,” Ruto added.
Moi University is currently under investigation for alleged embezzlement of funds by senior officials. On Wednesday, EACC detectives grilled Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey for over 10 hours in Eldoret.
The investigations, which began in June 2024, involve allegations of irregular multi-million-shilling tender awards by senior officials in collusion with private consultants.
Ruto also highlighted the establishment of the Open University of Kenya, which aims to enhance access to higher education. The university’s first cohort of students is set to graduate on November 29, 2024.
This marked Ruto’s third State of the Nation Address. His first was on September 29, 2022, during the inauguration of the 13th Parliament, and the second on November 9, 2023.
The President reflected on the challenges his administration faced upon taking office, citing high living costs caused by prolonged drought, mounting debt, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
“We all had to tighten our belts and work under very stressful conditions,” Ruto said.
