NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has urged the government to restore order and consistency in the country’s education system, warning that years of shifting policies have placed the future of learners at risk.
In a statement released Thursday, the bishops faulted recent education reforms for being “driven by political expediency” rather than the long-term interests of students.
They cited the transition from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework as an example of policy confusion.
“This is a risk to the future of our children, who are navigating a system with no clear end expectations,” said Bishop Maurice Muhatia, who read the statement on behalf of the KCCB.
The bishops expressed concern that the shift to CBE was rolled out without clear guidance for teachers, parents, and learners, creating uncertainty in classrooms across the country.
They also raised alarm over ongoing disputes about syllabus content — particularly regarding the place of religious education — and persistent teacher shortages in rural areas.
The KCCB called for equitable deployment of teachers to ensure that students in all regions receive quality instruction.
“School administrators face daily challenges such as delayed capitation funds, restrictions on levying extra fees, and the directive not to send home students who lack school fees. We should not gamble with our children’s lives,” the bishops warned.
Despite the criticisms, the bishops acknowledged recent positive steps by the government, including the recruitment of 24,000 teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
They commended the government’s efforts to stabilise the Kenyan shilling, invest in infrastructure, and maintain relative peace amid political tensions.
“We are grateful for the peace our country continues to enjoy. We encourage both leaders and citizens to work together to overcome the challenges we face,” the statement read.
The bishops also addressed healthcare reforms, lauding the Social Health Authority (SHA) for extending medical coverage to many Kenyans.
However, they cautioned that the sustainability of the new medical scheme depends on timely and adequate payments to health providers.
“Many people have benefited from SHA services, for which we are thankful. But hospitals must be paid promptly to keep offering these essential services,” they said.
