MPs Set to Tackle Six Major Education Bills as Parliament Resumes

The National Assembly is set to resume sittings on Tuesday with six education Bills among the key legislation scheduled for consideration. The proposals cover tertiary funding, basic education, teacher training, national assessments, curriculum development and qualifications management.

Six Education Bills on the Agenda

The Bills were identified as priority matters by the Liaison Committee during a retreat held in Mombasa last week. Their consideration is expected to address outstanding policy and legislative issues affecting Kenya’s education sector.

The proposed laws include the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, and the Basic Education Bill, 2026. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is also among those prioritised.

The Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill, 2026, the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026, and the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026, complete the list.

Changes Proposed for Basic Education

The Basic Education Bill is intended to replace the existing legal framework governing basic education. Provisions relating to school governance, financing, learner welfare, teacher management, quality assurance and education data are included in the proposed legislation.

The Education Committee is currently undertaking public participation on the Bills. The exercise is expected to conclude by Friday next week, after which a report will be prepared and presented to the House.

The legislation will then proceed to the Second Reading and Committee Stage. Proposed amendments based on views submitted during public participation will be considered during the Committee Stage.

New Framework for University and TVET Funding

The Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill proposes a new framework for financing and placing students in universities and TVET institutions. Under the proposed arrangement, students would receive loans to support their education and repay the amounts after completing their studies.

The proposed model is intended to reduce the immediate tuition burden placed on parents. The legislation is also expected to provide a clearer framework for student placement and financing across tertiary institutions.

Teacher Training and National Assessments

The Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill would establish a legal framework for preparing prospective teachers. Continuous professional development for serving teachers and education managers would also be provided for under the proposed law.

Meanwhile, the Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill would establish a new legal framework for national assessments. It would also repeal the existing Kenya National Examinations Council Act.

The Kenya National Qualifications Framework amendment seeks to strengthen tracking of academic and professional credentials. A national qualifications database would also be established under the proposed changes.

The KICD amendment would seek to streamline the institute’s mandate and address overlaps involving the tertiary education sector.

Parliament Faces Packed Legislative Calendar

The return of MPs comes as the 13th Parliament enters its final stages ahead of the 2027 General Election. Consideration of the 2027/2028 Budget and related legislation is also expected to feature prominently before the House proceeds on recess next June.

Parliament is expected to resume sittings in the final week of January 2027, earlier than its usual calendar. The earlier return is intended to provide additional time for consideration and passage of the Budget Estimates, Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill before the end of March.

The National Assembly is also reviewing its Standing Orders ahead of the 14th Parliament. MPs have been invited to submit proposed changes to the Clerk’s office, with the submission deadline set for April 2027.

A taskforce will consider the proposals before a report is presented to the Procedure and House Rules Committee. The report will subsequently be tabled before the House for adoption before the June 2027 recess.

Parliament has said the changes are intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the next House and its committees. According to parliamentary data, the 13th Parliament has completed more than 90 per cent of its scheduled business since it began in September 2022.

More than 100 significant pieces of legislation covering different sectors have also been passed and enacted during the current Parliament. The remaining legislative programme is expected to shape the House’s proceedings during its final phase.