KUPPET, KNUT Split Over Proposed Changes to Kenya’s Education System

Teachers' unions have taken different positions over proposed changes to Kenya's education system, particularly on public participation.

The disagreement has emerged as Parliament considers Bills seeking changes to the governance, financing and management of education.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for the public participation process to be suspended.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), however, has backed continued hearings so that stakeholders can submit their views.

KUPPET has raised concerns over the Basic Education Bill, 2026, and the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.
The union has argued that the proposed legislation should not proceed before the policy direction and financial implications have been clearly established.

KUPPET Wants More Consultation

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said the reforms should first be supported by a Sessional Paper outlining the Government's education policy direction.
A clear costing framework and wider stakeholder consultations have also been demanded before the legislative process proceeds.

The union has also raised concerns over the accessibility of venues being used for public participation exercises.
Greater decentralisation has been proposed so that teachers, parents and learners in rural and hard-to-reach areas can participate.

Misori has warned that legislation passed before the underlying policy is settled could create structures that later require expensive amendments.
The union has therefore called for additional sensitisation and comprehensive consultations before the process resumes.

KNUT Supports Continued Hearings

KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu has opposed the proposal to suspend public participation on the Bills.
Stakeholders have instead been encouraged to use the ongoing hearings to present their views before Parliament proceeds with consideration.

Oyuu has also expressed support for the proposed comprehensive school model contained in the education reforms.
However, KNUT has called for changes to provisions concerning teachers' representation in education governance structures.

The National Assembly has since extended the public participation exercise on the six education Bills to October 2, 2026.
Additional hearings have been scheduled in 16 counties between September 28 and October 2.

Proposed Changes Cover Education Funding

The Basic Education Bill seeks to establish a new legal framework covering areas including school governance, financing, learner welfare and teacher management.
Education quality assurance and management of education data are also covered by the proposed framework.

The Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill proposes changes to student placement and tertiary education financing.
The proposals include the re-establishment of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service and creation of a Tertiary Education Funding Authority.

Other Bills under consideration seek changes involving national assessments, teacher training, qualifications and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.
Together, the proposals would affect several areas of how Kenya's education sector is administered and financed.

Concerns Raised Over University Funding

Questions have also been raised over whether the proposed tertiary funding framework will adequately address existing financial challenges in universities.
Concerns have been expressed over scholarships, loans and how students unable to secure financial assistance would be supported.

University Academic Staff Union representatives have separately questioned whether repeated changes to funding models will resolve universities' underlying financial difficulties.
Issues including delayed funding, inadequate infrastructure and limited resources for research and postgraduate training have continued to be raised.

The debate comes as education remains one of the largest areas of public expenditure in Kenya.
The National Assembly approved Sh781.4 billion for basic, tertiary and university education in the 2026/27 financial year.

The public participation process is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for teachers and other stakeholders to submit their views on the proposed reforms.
Parliament will subsequently consider the submissions as it continues processing the education Bills.