Thousands of learners in marginalised communities could soon gain a clearer path into formal education under a new government plan.
President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to begin consultations on formally incorporating Duksi, Madrassa and pastoral instruction programmes into Kenya’s education system.
Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir county, the head of state said the move is aimed at ensuring all children have access to recognised learning opportunities, regardless of where they come from or the circumstances they face.
Ruto observed that many learners, especially in Northern Kenya and other underserved regions, remain outside the mainstream education system because alternative learning models have not been adequately accommodated.
“Some children in Northern Kenya and other marginalised regions remain outside the formal education system because certain alternative learning pathways have not been adequately recognised or accommodated within our education framework,” Ruto said.
The president instructed Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to engage stakeholders and initiate broad consultations under the Basic Education Act to explore how the programmes can be formally integrated into the country’s education structure.
Ruto’s govt to recognise Duksi, Madrassa programmes
According to Ruto, the proposed reforms are intended to make education more inclusive by creating recognised pathways that connect learners to skills, knowledge and future opportunities.
“I direct the Cabinet Secretary for Education to engage all relevant stakeholders and take the necessary measures under the Basic Education Act, to consult widely and recommend appropriate measures for the formal integration of the same,” he stated.
The president said Kenya’s next phase of development will be driven by education, innovation and skills development, rather than the traditional struggles that characterised earlier generations.
He cited countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Finland as examples of nations that transformed their economies through sustained investment in education and human capital development.
Ruto government’s education gains
Ruto also highlighted increased government spending on education, noting that the sector’s budget has grown from KSh 500 billion in 2022 to more than KSh 702 billion. He said over 100,000 teachers have been recruited in the last three years, with another 20,000 expected to join the profession this year.
To tackle persistent teacher shortages in Northern Kenya, the government has expanded teacher training opportunities and prioritised the recruitment of local educators. According to the president, 1,800 teachers drawn from Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties have already been deployed within the region, while thousands more are currently undergoing teacher training.
He further pointed to the construction of 23,000 classrooms and the ongoing development of 1,000 laboratories, many of them in arid and semi-arid areas, as part of efforts to improve learning infrastructure.
The president also noted that enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions has continued to rise as more young people seek practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship. In addition, Ruto announced plans to establish a university in Wajir county, saying construction of the institution will begin this year once residents identify a suitable site for the project.
