Six Education Bills Await MPs as National Assembly Resumes Sittings

The National Assembly is expected to begin consideration of six major education Bills when lawmakers return from recess on Tuesday. The proposed legislation is expected to introduce changes affecting student financing, basic education, teacher development, assessments and academic qualifications.

Parliament Prioritises Education Reforms

The six Bills were identified among the priority matters during a recent retreat by the National Assembly Liaison Committee in Mombasa. Their consideration is expected to provide legislative direction on several unresolved issues within the education sector.

The Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, is among the proposals awaiting consideration. Also listed are the Basic Education Bill, 2026, and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill, 2026, will also be considered alongside the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026. The Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026, completes the six priority education proposals.

Proposed Changes to Basic Education

The Basic Education Bill would replace the current legislation governing the sector if enacted. Its provisions cover areas including school administration, financing, learner welfare, teacher management and quality assurance.

Education data management would also be addressed under the proposed framework. The Education Committee is currently gathering views from members of the public before preparing its report for Parliament.

Public participation is expected to end next week. The Bills would subsequently proceed to the Second Reading and Committee Stage, where amendments based on submitted views can be proposed and considered.

Student Funding Model Targeted

Changes to tertiary education financing are also contained in the proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill. A new framework for financing and placing students in universities and TVET institutions would be established under the legislation.

Students would be able to access loans to finance their studies and repay them after completing their education. The proposed arrangement is expected to alter how tuition costs are financed and how students are placed in tertiary institutions.

New Rules for Teacher Development

Teacher preparation and professional development would also receive a dedicated legal framework under the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill. The proposal covers both prospective teachers and serving teachers undergoing continuous professional development.

Education managers would also fall within the proposed training framework. Another Bill would establish a new legal basis for national educational assessments while replacing the existing law governing the national examinations body.

Changes to the national qualifications framework would facilitate improved tracking of credentials. A national database for qualifications would also be established under the proposed amendments.

The KICD amendment would meanwhile seek to clarify the institute's responsibilities and address areas of overlap involving tertiary education.

MPs Prepare for Final Parliamentary Phase

The education legislation will be considered as the 13th Parliament enters its final phase before the 2027 General Election. A broader legislative programme, including the 2027/2028 Budget process, is also expected to occupy the House in the coming months.

An earlier parliamentary sitting period has been planned for January 2027 to create additional time for consideration of key financial legislation. The Budget Estimates, Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill are expected to be considered before the end of March.

The National Assembly is simultaneously reviewing its Standing Orders ahead of the 14th Parliament. Proposals from MPs are expected to be submitted to the Clerk before the April 2027 deadline.

A taskforce will examine the proposals before a report is submitted to the Procedure and House Rules Committee. The report will eventually be presented to the House for consideration before the June 2027 recess.

Parliament has indicated that the review is intended to strengthen the effectiveness of the next House and its committees. Since September 2022, more than 90 per cent of the 13th Parliament's scheduled business has reportedly been completed.