The National Assembly Committee on Education has backed the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes the official recognition of Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools in the country.
APBET schools are institutions that provide education to those who may not have access to formal schools, including learners in informal settlements and remote areas.
The institutions range from non-formal education centres, vocational training centres, night schools, home schools, to adult learning institutions.
According to the Ministry of Education, more than 2.3 million children who should be in primary and secondary school are either at home or enrolled in unregistered institutions.
Mathare Member of Parliament Anthony Oluoch, who is the sponsor of the bill, affirmed that the bill will ensure that the government maps, registers, provides curriculum guidelines, and dispenses the necessary resources and funds to these schools, just as are given to other educational institutions.
"The purpose for which this Bill was made was, first, to anchor an already existing policy, the Policy Framework for Alternative Provisions for Basic Education and Training," Oluoch said.
"The second purpose is to ensure recognition, registration, and marketing for schools otherwise left out due to a narrow definition under the Basic Education Act," he added.
Kabondo Kasipul Member of Parliament Eve Obara affirmed that passing the Bill would be pivotal in ensuring equity and inclusivity in the country's education ecosystem, especially for people living in underserved areas.
"We will support this Bill to help learners in informal settlements. Education should not be a privilege," she stated.
The move comes days after the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, revealed that the process of reinforcing the infrastructural capacity and hiring more teachers in all public schools.
Ogamba, in a statement on Wednesday, June 25, further assured that he will engage with the national treasury to ensure timely capitation disbursement in schools, to ensure that schools' operations are seamless.
"To support the effective rollout of CBE, the construction of more classes and laboratories will be fast-tracked alongside the hiring of at least 24,000 teachers within the next financial year," the ministry said.
