National Assembly to Consider Six Bills Seeking Major Reforms in Education Sector
The National Assembly is set to consider six education sector Bills seeking to introduce wide-ranging reforms in basic education, national assessments, teacher training, curriculum development, tertiary education funding and recognition of academic qualifications.
The Bills, sponsored by Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah, have been committed to the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education for public participation and further consideration.
The proposed legislation includes the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Kenya National Education Assessment Bill, 2026; Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training in Basic Education Bill, 2026; Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026; and Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The proposals seek to address various gaps in Kenya’s education system and align the legal framework with ongoing reforms, including the implementation of Competency-Based Education.
Basic education governance
The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes changes to the legal framework governing basic education.
The proposed amendments cover the administration and governance of learning institutions, quality assurance and standards, special needs education and management of education information.
The Bill comes amid continued efforts to align Kenya’s education system with Competency-Based Education while addressing challenges affecting access, administration and delivery of education services.
New framework for national assessments
The Kenya National Education Assessment Bill, 2026 proposes a new legal framework for national education assessment and seeks to replace the existing framework governing the Kenya National Examinations Council.
The proposed legislation seeks to move national assessment beyond an examination-centred approach by providing for competency-based assessment.
It also proposes the use of electronic assessment and measures aimed at preventing and combating examination malpractices.
Changes to curriculum development
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to redefine the mandate of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and eliminate overlaps in its functions.
The proposed amendments would focus the Institute’s mandate on basic and teacher education while restructuring its governance framework.
New framework for teacher training
Teacher preparation and professional development would be addressed through the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training in Basic Education Bill, 2026.
The Bill seeks to establish a dedicated statutory framework for the training and professional development of teachers.
It also proposes institutions and structures through which pre-service and in-service teacher education would be coordinated.
Changes to tertiary education funding
At the tertiary level, the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026 proposes changes to how students are placed and financed in universities, colleges and technical and vocational education and training institutions.
One of the key proposals is the establishment of the Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA) as a central body responsible for tertiary education financing.
The proposed framework would consolidate functions currently undertaken by the Higher Education Loans Board, Universities Fund and TVET Fund in a bid to create a more coordinated system of student financing.
The Bill also proposes changes to the role of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in student placement while establishing a new statutory framework for tertiary education funding.
Regulation of academic qualifications
The Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to strengthen the national system for recognising and regulating academic and professional qualifications.
Among the proposed measures is the establishment of a registration framework for institutions that award qualifications and the development of a national qualifications database.
The proposed database is expected to strengthen the tracking and recognition of qualifications while supporting greater transparency within the education and training sector.
The six Bills have now been committed to the Education Committee for public participation, allowing stakeholders and members of the public to submit their views before the Committee considers the proposals and prepares its recommendations to the House.