The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Public Funding and Grants for APBET Schools
Learners under eighteen years of age in Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) institutions become eligible for capitation grants under the free and compulsory education programme. The national government is also mandated to provide these schools with grants for infrastructure development.
Increased Representation on Education Boards
The Bill increases County Education Board membership from twelve to fourteen to include two representatives from APBET schools. It also adds the National Chairperson of APBET Schools in Kenya to the National Education Board.
Waivers on Strict Registration Rules
The Cabinet Secretary of Education is authorized to advise the national government on waiving registration requirements for APBET schools, including documents of title (such as land deeds), depending on the circumstances of the informal settlement.
New Safeguards for Middle Level Colleges
Prohibits the transfer or conversion of registered public middle level teacher training institutions to any other use without the approval of the Cabinet Secretary. It also mandates that their courses be approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Bill No.
No. 3 of 2025
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 20 of 2025
Sponsor
Anthony Tom Oluoch
Background
The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes to amend the Basic Education Act, 2013. The main objective is to formally recognize, register, and mainstream Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools, which offer basic education within informal settlements. While the APBET Policy of 2009 and the Basic Education Regulations of 2015 recognized these non-formal learning centers, they lacked formal anchoring under the primary Act. This Bill seeks to resolve that gap and ensure equal benefits and standard oversight for APBET institutions.
Key Amendments
- Formal Integration of APBET: Amends Section 2 of the principal Act to define "Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training schools" as institutions offering basic education curriculum in informal settlements.
- Board Membership Expansion: Amends Section 7 to include the National Chairperson of APBET schools as a member of the National Education Board. Amends Section 20 to increase County Education Board membership from twelve to fourteen by adding two representatives of APBET schools.
- County Databanks: Amends Section 79 to obligate County Education Boards to establish and maintain a databank of all registered, accredited, licensed, and incorporated APBET schools within their respective counties.
- Infrastructure and Support: Amends Section 39 to place a duty on the Cabinet Secretary to provide infrastructure, learning and teaching equipment, and appropriate financial resources to all schools, explicitly including APBET institutions.
New Obligations
The Bill inserts a new Part VIIA governing alternative basic education, training, and continuing adult education:
- Use of Existing Facilities: APBET and adult education institutions may utilize the premises and facilities of existing public or private basic education institutions, subject to request and concurrence.
- Curriculum Standard: APBET and adult education institutions must offer curricula approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
- Age Restrictions: Only learners above the age of eighteen years may be admitted into adult and continuing education programs.
- Placement of Learners: Institutions must assess a learner's prior ability, knowledge, and competencies to determine their appropriate placement level using accelerated and self-directed learning programs.
- Regulation of Middle Level Institutions: Institutions offering teacher training must only provide courses approved by the KICD, with examinations and certifications issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) or other Cabinet Secretary-approved bodies.
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