Education stakeholders have called for urgent, coordinated reforms in Kenya’s education sector, warning that the country risks eroding its hard-earned reputation as a regional education leader if emerging challenges, especially school unrest, are not decisively addressed.
The call comes amid a wave of disturbances in schools across the country, which education leaders say signals deeper structural and policy issues requiring the attention of all stakeholders.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing on the state of the sector, Eng. Wangai Ndirangu, the Board of Management Chairperson at Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls and Kamwenja Teachers Training College, urged the government to spearhead a multi-sectoral engagement framework bringing together policymakers, teachers, parents, learners, school administrators, and development partners to develop sustainable solutions.
According to Wangai, addressing the current challenges demands collective responsibility and open dialogue rather than isolated interventions.
“The challenges facing our education sector today require broad-based consultations and collaborative action. All stakeholders must be involved in shaping reforms that respond to the realities facing schools and learners,” he said.
Rising unrest points to deeper concerns, prompting calls for broader review.
Wangai observed that the increasing cases of student unrest witnessed in learning institutions across the country should serve as a wake-up call for education authorities and policymakers.
He noted that while individual incidents may vary in nature, the trend reflects underlying issues that require comprehensive review and intervention.
The education administrator cautioned that continued instability in schools could negatively affect learning outcomes, compromise institutional management, and diminish Kenya’s standing as one of Africa’s leading education destinations.
He called for renewed focus on learner welfare, mentorship programmes, mental health support, and effective communication channels within schools as part of broader efforts to address the root causes of unrest.
Questions over Competency-Based Education readiness
At the same time, Wangai raised concerns over the country’s preparedness to fully implement Competency-Based Education, arguing that significant infrastructural deficits continue to undermine the successful rollout of the curriculum.
He said many public schools lack adequate classrooms, workshops, laboratories, digital learning facilities, and other critical infrastructure required to effectively support the competency-based model.
According to Wangai, the mismatch between policy expectations and available resources risks placing additional pressure on schools already grappling with limited capacity.
“There is a need for an honest national conversation on the readiness of our institutions to implement Competency-Based Education. Infrastructure development must move hand in hand with curriculum reforms if the intended outcomes are to be achieved,” he said.
He further urged the government to accelerate investments in education infrastructure to ensure equitable implementation of the curriculum across both urban and rural schools.
Concerns over leadership changes in the ministry
Wangai also faulted the recent leadership changes in the Ministry of Education, arguing that stability at the top remains critical as the country navigates one of the most significant education transitions in its history.
His remarks follow the recent reshuffle that saw former Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok transferred to the State Department for Tourism, with John Lekakeny Ololtuaa taking over the education docket.
Wangai described the move as poorly timed, noting that continuity in leadership is essential in overseeing the implementation of key reforms and addressing emerging challenges facing the sector.
He warned that frequent changes in senior management could disrupt policy execution and slow progress on ongoing programmes.
“The education sector is undergoing major reforms and requires consistency in leadership. Stability at the policy level is important in ensuring that long-term programmes are implemented effectively and without unnecessary interruptions,” he said.
Call for national dialogue.
As Kenya continues to implement far-reaching education reforms, Wangai emphasized the need for a structured national dialogue to evaluate existing policies, assess emerging challenges, and develop practical interventions to strengthen the sector.
He maintained that safeguarding the future of education will require collective commitment from government institutions, school managers, teachers, parents, and learners alike.
Education experts have increasingly highlighted infrastructure gaps, changing learner dynamics, mental health concerns, and policy implementation challenges as issues requiring urgent attention to ensure the country’s education system remains resilient, competitive, and responsive to the needs of future generations.
