Author: Hezron Rooy

President Ruto: We Will Make Education Affordable to All President William Ruto announced that the government has earmarked Ksh60 billion for the education sector in Kenya, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring inclusive, accessible, and affordable education for all. Addressing attendees during Garissa University’s 5th Graduation ceremony, he highlighted education as a powerful tool for equalizing opportunities in the country. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to investing in human capital development through continued financial support for education and training. Ruto detailed specific allocations, noting that KSh18 billion has been allocated to hire Junior School intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.…

Varsity Sacks 350 Staff Members Over Fake Academic Certificates The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) has dismissed over 350 employees, including teachers, due to fraudulent academic credentials. Following an audit that revealed discrepancies in the academic qualifications of these staff members, their names were removed from the university’s payroll. The affected individuals span various levels within the institution, with terminations set to occur by the end of this month. A university insider mentioned that some of these cases will be forwarded to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for further examination and potential…

HELB Issues 10 Loan Application Requirements For First-Time Applicants The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced the opening of its application portal, urging all eligible candidates, particularly teachers, to apply for the available funds. The board emphasized the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity before the deadline. In their statement, HELB provided a detailed list of requirements for a successful application. Applicants need a valid email address and telephone number to begin the process. They must also have their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) index numbers and the corresponding years…

46,000 JSS Teachers, Medical Interns Survives as Finance Bill Sails Through 2nd Reading The Finance Bill, 2024 has passed its second reading with 204 Members of Parliament (MPs) voting in favor and 115 against, with no abstentions. The voting was done by acclamation instead of a secret ballot. This Bill now proceeds to the Committee of the Whole House, which includes all Assembly members. Speaker Wetang’ula informed MPs that discussions on the Finance Bill are now complete and any proposed amendments should be submitted to the clerk for processing. MPs had until 1 pm on Thursday to file their amendments.…

Court Dismisses Petition Challenging CBC Rollout A three-judge bench has dismissed a petition challenging the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which replaced the 8-4-4 education system. The court based its decision on the best interest of the children, stating that granting the orders sought would cause disorder in the education system. The bench, consisting of Justices Hedwig Ongundi, John Chigiti, and Antony Ndung’u, highlighted that the rights of the children would be compromised if the petition were granted. They emphasized that the CBC had involved significant engagement with education stakeholders, faith-based organizations, and the public, thus fulfilling the requirement for public participation.…

Treasury Threaten to Cut Ksh.18.9B TSC Budget for 46,000 JSS Teachers Confirmation The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) faces significant budget cuts as part of broader austerity measures outlined by the National Treasury. These cuts are a response to amendments proposed in the 2024 Finance Bill, which, if passed, would lead to substantial reductions in funding across various government sectors. The TSC stands to lose Ksh.18.9 billion, primarily impacting its ability to confirm Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. The National Treasury has informed Parliament that adjustments to the 2024 Finance Bill could result in a Ksh.200 billion revenue shortfall in the…

Ministry of Education Begins Disbursement of School Capitation Funds Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu’s promise to deliver second-term capitation funds has been fulfilled, with schools nationwide beginning to receive the funds. Sources from the Ministry of Education confirmed today that the funds, totaling approximately Ksh30 billion for this term, were disbursed yesterday and are expected to appear in school accounts starting today. Follow Teachers Updates On X The disbursement comes as a relief to many school heads who have been grappling with delayed funds, forcing some to operate on credit and contemplate sending students home early for half-term break next…

Ministry of Education to Host Regional AI Forum in Nairobi The Ministry of Education (MoE) will be hosting the Eastern Africa Sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (EARFAI) in Nairobi from June 24th to 26th, 2024. Organized jointly with the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, the forum is a collaboration between the Government of Kenya (GoK) and UNESCO. Its purpose is to explore the potential of AI to foster sustainable development and societal transformation in Eastern Africa (EA) and nearby Indian Ocean islands. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu explained that the forum is designed to stimulate discourse on the…

Maasai Mara University Professor Accused of Holding Fake Academic Credentials A petitioner has approached the Public Service Commission (PSC), alleging that a professor at Maasai Mara University holds forged documents and seeks to prevent his appointment as deputy vice chancellor. Rolex Kimani Wakiaga claims that Prof. James Simiren Ole Nampushi of Maasai Mara University possesses falsified academic documents, a fake birth certificate, and a counterfeit national identity card. He aims to stop the PSC from interviewing Prof. Ole Nampushi for the deputy vice chancellor (administration, finance, and strategy) position, which the professor has been acting in since 2019. Interview Proceedings…

Factors Affecting Students’ Performance in Math and Science A recent report by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) has highlighted several factors contributing to students’ poor performance in mathematics and science subjects. Among the identified issues are inadequate school facilities, insufficient parental support, poor teacher pedagogical practices, and a lack of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers. Other challenges include students’ lack of interest, insufficient funding, a rigid STEM curriculum, and a lack of student mentorship. The report, titled “Situational Analysis on the Status of STEM Education at Secondary School Level in Africa,” was conducted…