Stakeholders have highlighted the significance of education reforms and skills development in delivering quality and sustainable education in the country.
Experts speaking during the 2nd National Education Conference underscored the need to prioritise transformation leadership and accountability in bolstering access to quality and affordable education.
The more than 1,000 delegates – who included government officials, university leadership, MDAs, educators, teacher unions, and development partners – deliberated on key policy reforms ranging from digitisation, student financing, infrastructure to implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
The event took place in Naivasha from May 7-9, 2026, with players in the sector, including President William Ruto and Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala, calling for enhanced governance frameworks and financing mechanisms to promote equity.
President Ruto reiterated the importance of stakeholder collaboration in harnessing ideas and streamlining education programmes.
President Ruto stressed the need for bold leadership in implementing education reforms aligned to the present needs and future aspirations of the country.
“Education transforms societies, reduces poverty, expands opportunities for women, promotes social cohesion and civic stability. In many ways, education is the single greatest investment a nation can make in managing its present and shaping its future,” the President said.
On a similar note, Dr Inyangala emphasised that collaboration across the sector is vital in producing well-rounded graduates who are both employable and entrepreneurial.
Dr Inyangala further said that the national conversation should not just be restricted to education reforms but extended to the role of innovation in driving the country’s growth.
“At the university level, we are working to produce graduate who are employable and possess an entrepreneurial spirit. We are working to develop the technologies that would lead us on the road to ‘Singapore’,” she said.
She said the Ministry is collaborating with the private sector, NGOs and development partners to catalyse transformation and reforms.
Universities Fund Ag. CEO Dr Edwin Wanyonyi also took part in panel discussions and engagements on higher education funding.
