Members of the public in Kwale County have presented views and proposals on six education Bills currently before Parliament during a public participation forum held at the Cultural Centre in Matuga Sub-County.

The forum, chaired by Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, provided an opportunity for parents, teachers, learners and other stakeholders to raise concerns about the proposed legislation before the Bills are considered for enactment.

The six Bills are the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, Basic Education Bill, Kenya National Education Assessment Council Bill, Pre-Service Education Assessment Council Bill, Kenya National Qualifications Framework Bill and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Bill.

Obara said public participation was important in enabling Parliament to hear directly from Kenyans who would be affected by the proposed laws.

“Public participation basically gives Parliament an opportunity to consider the concerns and proposals of the people who will be affected by the legislation,” she said.

She said the engagement was an integral part of the legislative process and emphasised the importance of obtaining views from different stakeholders in the education sector.

Among the issues raised was the need to strengthen the authority of school heads in discipline and school administration, with participants seeking clarity on how cases involving violence by learners or teachers should be handled.

Some participants also proposed the reintroduction of corporal punishment, citing incidents of learners assaulting teachers and calling for clear measures to address violence in schools.

James Odhiambo, a Junior School teacher, called for Junior Secondary Schools to have independent leadership and administration rather than being managed alongside primary schools.

Participants also raised concerns over equity and transparency in tertiary education funding and placements, urging the government to ensure resources reach beneficiaries and are not overly centralised.

Kwale High School Chief Principal Michael Mutua raised concern over overcrowding in national schools, saying his institution admitted about 950 Grade 10 learners in 2026 despite having limited facilities.

He said some schools in the region had relatively low enrolment and called for a review of the placement formula to ensure a more equitable distribution of learners and resources.

Mutua said overcrowding placed pressure on existing facilities and affected the ability of schools to provide an appropriate learning environment.

The stakeholders further urged Parliament to consider practical challenges faced by schools, teachers and learners, saying the proposed reforms should improve access, accountability and quality of education across the country without disadvantaging any region.

Obara and members of the committee assured participants that their views and proposals would be compiled and presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the Bills are enacted into law.

by Mtumwa Makange/Achieng Eurelia