
Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG), an education advocacy organization affiliated with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), issued seven demands to the government on Monday, January 6, addressing pressing concerns in the education sector.
In a statement, the group criticized the government for mishandling the Junior Secondary School (Grade 9) transition, underfunding both basic and tertiary education, misusing public resources, exploiting parents and students, and implementing ineffective policies.
The organization expressed alarm over the deteriorating quality of education and called for urgent reforms as schools reopened for the demanding first term.
“The Elimu Bora Working Group is deeply concerned about the declining state of Kenya’s education system. Virtually every aspect of inclusive, free, and quality public education has been compromised,” the statement partly read.
It continued, “Key issues include the Grade 9 transition, insufficient funding at all education levels, financial mismanagement, exploitation of parents and students, and poor policy implementation.”

To address these concerns, the group outlined seven demands to President Ruto’s administration, aiming to streamline the education sector and enhance learning quality nationwide:
- Provide immediate support for Grade 9 students preparing for senior school.
- Ensure free and quality education for all learners starting January 2025.
- Eliminate tuition and admission fees for parents and guardians.
- Prevent school heads from misusing funds and recover any misappropriated amounts identified by the Auditor-General.
- Establish a Standards and Quality Assurance Council to maintain education standards.
- Restore credibility in examinations, beginning with the release of the 2024 KCSE results.
- Base student course selection and admissions to schools, colleges, and universities on merit rather than financial capacity.
Concerns Over Grade 9 Transition
EBWG criticized the Ministry of Education for poor planning and lack of preparedness to transition students from Grade 8 to 9 by 2025.
The group highlighted that government funding practices excluded many Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), citing claims that nearly five out of six schools were left out because constituency development funds had already supported them.
Additionally, the group raised alarms over low teacher-to-school ratios, which they argued would overburden teachers and compromise education quality in JSS institutions.
Funding Challenges in Basic and Higher Education
The lobby group accused the government of violating constitutional rights to education, which guarantee free and compulsory basic education.
They emphasized that despite these guarantees, parents in public schools continue to face hidden costs, including admission and tuition fees, creating financial strain.
The concerns extended to higher education, where students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and public universities face excessive and arbitrary fees, surpassing limits outlined in the Higher Education Loans Board Act.
Mismanagement of Funds and Policy Failures
EBWG also raised red flags about financial mismanagement in the education sector, referencing an audit by the Auditor-General. They pointed out that while funds were misused, many students were being sent home due to fee arrears.
The group condemned the government’s failure to implement crucial policies, including the establishment of the Standards and Quality Assurance Council.
Despite court orders mandating the creation of the council, which would oversee standards in education institutions, curriculum implementation, and examinations, the directive remains unfulfilled.
Growing Concerns Over Education Sector Challenges
The government has faced mounting criticism from stakeholders over poor service delivery and inadequate planning in the education sector. This comes amid the release of the KPSEA assessment results on January 6 and preparations for the release of the highly anticipated KCSE results.