GRASSROOTS FIX

The release of UNESCO's latest Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report should be welcomed as a milestone for education in Africa. After decades of investment, policy reforms and advocacy, the continent achieved gender parity in primary school enrolment in 2021 and is edging closer to parity in lower secondary education. Yet the report also reminds us that progress is far from complete. In 2024, Africa still had only 93 girls enrolled in upper secondary school for every 100 boys. That is an achievement worth celebrating. But celebration should never become complacency. The danger with the language of "gender parity" is that it can create the illusion that the education challenge has largely been solved. Numbers can tell us how many children enter school, but they cannot tell us whether education systems are fair, whether learners acquire meaningful skills, or whether the most vulnerable children are receiving the support they need. Kenya illustrates this contr...

Every morning, as the school bell cuts through the cool air of Transmara South, hundreds of students file into classrooms carrying books, assignments and dreams of a better future. Yet, for many teenage mothers, the journey back to school ends long before they reach the classroom door. The common assumption is that motherhood itself forces girls out of school permanently. But emerging evidence suggests a more painful reality: what keeps most of them away is not the baby they carry in their arms, but the shame society places on their shoulders. Data presented by Usawa Agenda during the webinar, "Data to Dialogue: Unpacking the Usawa Agenda 2026 Report Confirmation," paints a sobering picture of the struggles teenage mothers face in reclaiming their education. According to the findings, 45.2 per cent of girls who fail to return to school after pregnancy cite stigma as the biggest obstacle. The figure is higher than any other barrier identified. It means that nearly ...

The revelation that Kenya's Ministry of Education faces a KSh102 billion funding gap ahead of the 2026/27 budget should alarm every Kenyan. Education is not merely another government department competing for resources; it is the foundation upon which the country's future rests. Yet once again, the sector finds itself pleading for funds to sustain basic services that should have been guaranteed and protected. The numbers tell a troubling story. The Ministry requested KSh770 billion but was allocated KSh668.3 billion, leaving a deficit large enough to threaten free primary education, junior secondary education, school feeding programmes, and capitation support for millions of learners. Government officials have warned that more than 1.5 million learners could miss capitation support if the gap is not addressed. What is most disturbing is that this crisis did not emerge overnight. Education funding deficits have been repeatedly reported over the past several years. Ear...

In Transmara South, learning is supposed to be a ladder out of poverty. Instead, for many schoolgirls, it has become a daily struggle marked by shame, silence and impossible choices. In classrooms scattered across Chelchel and Olesoilal primary schools, basic menstrual hygiene needs remain unmet; a challenge that teachers say is quietly pushing some girls out of education altogether. At Chelchel and Olesoilal, teenage girls are walking to class without underwear or sanitary towels. Teachers describe the situation as persistent and worsening during certain times of the month, with absenteeism rising and some learners eventually dropping out. The pain behind the statistics is visible in everyday school life. Inside crowded classrooms at Chelchel, some girls sit withdrawn, avoiding attention whenever menstruation is discussed. Teachers say the anxiety is not only about discomfort, but about stigma. The fear of being laughed at or exposed in front of classmates. “I feel so bad ...

When President William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron signed 11 bilateral agreements in Nairobi this week, the language was grand: innovation, digital transformation, skills development, artificial intelligence and youth empowerment.  Buried within the infrastructure announcements and billion-shilling investment promises was an education agenda Kenya’s policymakers will likely market as a breakthrough for the country’s young population. The two governments pledged deeper cooperation in STEM education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and skills development.  But beyond the diplomatic photographs and polished communiqués lies a harder question: who exactly benefits from these education partnerships? Kenya’s education sector is littered with memoranda of understanding that generated headlines but delivered little lasting change in overcrowded classrooms, underfunded TVET institutions or public universit...

In the dusty villages of Kilgoris in Narok County, where generations of girls have quietly disappeared into early marriages and harmful cultural practices, a quiet revolution led by women is challenging traditions that for decades silenced dreams. The revolution has no grand headquarters, no government convoy and no multimillion-shilling funding. Its battleground is the homestead, the classroom, the village meeting and sometimes the tense negotiations between determined mothers and families preparing to marry off underage girls. At the centre of this movement stands Olerai Manyatta Community-Based Organisation (CBO), a grassroots women’s group that has steadily transformed lives across Narok and beyond by rescuing girls from forced and early marriages, returning them to school and equipping vulnerable children with the tools to reclaim their futures. What began as a small collective of concerned women has evolved into one of the most influential community-led education and ...

With schools now closed and children settled into the rhythm of the long holiday, a familiar pattern is quietly taking shape in many households: books tucked away, routines relaxed and academic learning largely paused. For parents, this break is often seen as well-earned rest for their children. Yet beneath this pause lies a less visible risk; the gradual erosion of foundational numeracy skills that are critical to a child’s development. Foundational numeracy is often misunderstood as classroom mathematics—worksheets, exams and correct answers. In reality, it is far more practical and deeply woven into everyday life. It is the ability to make sense of numbers in ordinary situations: sharing food equally among siblings, calculating change at a shop, estimating how long a journey will take, or deciding whether there is enough money to buy a desired item. These are not school exercises; they are life skills. And during the holidays, children encounter these situations more fre...

Six weeks after Grade 10 students across the country reported to school, Meshack Lemerian remains at home in Enenkeshiu Village, Kilgoris Constituency, Transmara West Subcounty, not by choice, but because his family cannot afford to send him to school. Meshack, who is visually impaired, successfully sat for his KJSEA examination at Kilgoris DEB Special School. His performance earned him admission to a special secondary school in the Meru region, where he is expected to join Grade 10. However, financial constraints have stalled his transition. Speaking to the media at their rural home, his mother, Everline Mutemperia, expressed both pride in her son’s achievement and distress over their inability to raise the required funds. “My son worked very hard despite his condition. He was called to join school, but we have not been able to take him because we do not have the money,” she said. The family says the delay has been painful, especially at a time when the government has emph...

For many vulnerable families in Kilgoris, bursaries represent more than financial support. They are the thin line between staying in school and dropping out. But behind the public assurances of transparency in the recent bursary disbursement lies a trail of unanswered questions, missing cheques and parents quietly nursing disappointment. An investigation into the bursary allocation process has uncovered several loopholes that are raising concerns among parents and guardians, many of whom say the system failed those who needed support the most. Some parents interviewed said they were never considered, despite being vulnerable and having school-going children. They claim their children now face an uncertain future after missing out on funding they had hoped would keep them in school. Others reported that although they applied, their bursaries were missing from the final list, with no clear explanation provided. There were also complaints that some beneficiaries appeared on th...

Solomon Taleng'o poses for a photo as he prepares to address members. Photo credit As the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Transmara branch prepares for its elections (2026-2031), Solomon Taleng’o has officially declared his candidacy for the position of Assistant Executive Secretary, competing against two other contestants. Taleng’o, a seasoned teacher in the constituency, is campaigning on a platform centered on transparency and accountability, promising to ensure that union finances, decisions, and activities are conducted openly and fairly. “I am ready to deliver for our members. I will ensure transparency, accountability, and that every decision we make benefits teachers and strengthens our union,” Taleng’o said. He added that under his leadership, KNUT members in Transmara will have a stronger voice, and governance within the branch will be participatory, ethical, and responsive. The elections are expected to take place later this year, with union members k...

Learners from Kilgoris Constituency on Thursday received bursaries during an exercise held at the CDF offices, aimed at easing the cost of education and supporting access to learning for vulnerable families. Several beneficiaries said it was their first time receiving bursary support, with some noting they had lived in the area for over 20 years without ever benefiting from such assistance. Parents and learners welcomed the exercise, describing it as timely and impactful. CDF Chairman Saruni cautioned beneficiaries against paying anyone to access the bursaries, stressing that the support was free. He warned parents and learners not to accept any attempts to sell bursaries to them, adding that cheques for university and college students had already been issued. Saruni also requested beneficiaries to submit school fee receipts to promote accountability. “Do not accept bursaries to be sold to you. This support is free, and no one should ask you for money,” Saruni said. The bur...

On the first day of the new school term, many classrooms in parts of Transmara remained half-empty as fear and uncertainty continued to grip families emerging from weeks of violence and displacement. Although schools officially reopened today, learner turnout was noticeably low, with parents citing insecurity and the ongoing dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the government as major obstacles to a smooth resumption of learning. The curfew, introduced to allow security agencies to recover illegal firearms and crack down on individuals linked to recent clashes, has restored relative calm but also deepened anxiety among residents. The curfew was announced in the following areas Oldonyo-Orok, Siteti, Ololoma, Corner, Ratiki, Isokon, Karinkani, Kondamet, Olkiloriti, Angata Barrikoi, Kapkeres, Lolgorian Town, Mashangwa and Sachangwan. Teachers and learners say the heavy security operations, while necessary, have left many families living in fear. At Sankale Primary School, one of the...

As insecurity continues to grip parts of Transmara South, education stakeholders have raised concerns over the safety of learners and teachers ahead of the January school reopening. Ezekiel Lelon, the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) chairperson for Angata Zone and secretary for Transmara South, has urged the government to urgently strengthen security in affected areas to ensure uninterrupted learning. Speaking amid reports of continued violence, Lelon warned that fear and displacement could derail preparations for the new school term unless decisive action is taken. “The safety of our learners and teachers must be treated as a priority. Schools cannot operate effectively in an environment where there is fear and uncertainty,” said Lelon. He further appealed to the government to identify alternative locations for internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting that several schools are currently hosting displaced families, a situation he says could delay re...

WITO Talent Centre has marked a significant milestone in community-based education after successfully hosting its first-ever end-year celebration aimed at empowering children through learning, play, and talent discovery. The event was held on 26th December 2025 at Olomismis Location in Narok County, bringing together over 50 children, volunteers, parents, and community members. Unlike conventional end-year festivities, the celebration was intentionally structured around Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework. Children from all grades participated in activities designed to strengthen problem-solving, creativity, innovation, numeracy, and life skills, demonstrating how learning can continue beyond the classroom, even during school holidays. Through games, group challenges, creative expression and guided interactions, the children learned by doing. They collaborated in teams, solved simple problems, expressed ideas confidently and explored their individ...

For many Maasai girls, the journey through education is fragile, promising at first, but often cut short just as their dreams begin to take shape. Despite increased advocacy for the girl child and growing access to sponsorships, deeply rooted cultural practices continue to force girls out of school, particularly during their teenage years. In several Maasai communities, form two marks a dangerous turning point. It is the stage where girls are considered “grown,” and cultural expectations begin to outweigh academic ambition. Early marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and teenage pregnancy converge to quietly erase girls from classrooms, replacing books with bridal preparations. Even sponsorship does not guarantee protection. Many girls drop out of school despite having sponsors committed to supporting them through secondary school and into college. The decision is rarely academic. Instead, it is cultural, shaped by family pressure, community norms and long-held beliefs...

As schools prepare to reopen in a few weeks’ time, hundreds of school-going children in Trans Mara South are grappling with fear, displacement and emotional distress following renewed clashes in the area. Instead of preparing uniforms, books, and school fees, many families are fleeing violence, sleeping in makeshift shelters and struggling to meet basic needs. The ongoing insecurity has disrupted the psychological and emotional stability of learners, raising serious concerns about their readiness to return to class. Children who have witnessed violence, lost homes and been forced to flee are likely to return to school carrying trauma that affects their concentration, memory and overall academic performance. The situation is particularly worrying for candidates who recently sat the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and are expected to transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Education system. For these learners, the uncertainty caused by displaceme...

The Ministry of Education has announced that Grade 10 placements for candidates who sat the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) will be released on Friday, December 19, 2025. Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok said the school selection process is progressing well, noting that learners who wish to revise their school or pathway choices will be allowed to do so beginning Tuesday, December 23. Speaking at the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) annual delegates’ conference, Prof. Bitok confirmed that senior schools are fully prepared to receive the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system in January 2026. He added that by December 20, learners and parents will have clarity on the senior schools and pathways students will join when the new academic year begins on January 12, 2026. To access placement details, Prof. Bitok said learners will be required to send their assessment number to 2263, after which they will rec...

 New findings from the USAWA Agenda reveal a systematic failure in Kenya’s pursuit of inclusive education, with children with disabilities facing the highest dropout rates, the lowest levels of enrollment, and some of the most persistent barriers to learning. According to the report, two in every ten children with disabilities are currently out of school, while 15 out of every 100 have dropped out altogether. Even more worrying, five out of every 100 children with disabilities never enroll in school at all, highlighting deep inequalities hidden within the country’s education system. The data further shows that children with autism and mental health challenges face the steepest uphill battle. Learners with autism are more likely to drop out than any other group, while children with mental health conditions are the most likely to never enroll at all. Girls with mental health challenges face even higher dropout rates than boys, exposing a gendered dimension of vulnerabilit...

Children file out of densely packed homes, navigating narrow paths and open drains on their way to class. They walk with purpose, but not toward the government schools that were meant to open doors for them. According to an Oxfam study on education in Nairobi’s slums, the promise of Free Primary Education (FPE) has never been equal across the city. While public schools remain free in principle, the report found that access is deeply uneven. In the study area, nearly half the pupils attended low-cost private schools, not because families preferred them, but because public alternatives were full, far away,  and practically inaccessible. The report describes a stark reality: children in informal settlements often reach public school gates only to find the spaces already taken. Overcrowding and long queues have made these schools unattainable for many families living in poverty. The result is a quiet but powerful form of exclusion, one that pushes the poorest children towar...

Pupils at Nasira Nkujit Primary School received a hands-on lesson in environmental conservation this week when the Mara Basin Conservation Forum, working alongside partners from DSF, KENAWRUA, and Ecolink, visited the school to promote citizen science as a tool for climate action and environmental stewardship. The program is led jointly by Alfred Owino, chairman of the Mara Basin Conservation Forum; Dr. Jacqueline Goldin, CEO of DSF; Enock Kiminta, chairman of the Kenya National Water Resources Users Association (KENAWRUA); and Blaise Janichon, head of Ecolink. Together, the team conducted interactive sessions demonstrating how simple observations such as monitoring water clarity, recording rainfall and noting wildlife changes, can contribute meaningful data toward protecting the Mara River Basin. Owino emphasized that conservation begins at the community level. “Safeguarding the Mara Basin is a shared responsibility,” he said. “Young people can make valuable contributions...