President Ruto Engages Over 10,000 Teachers in Historic State House Forum, Paving Way for Education Reform

 

A historic education dialogue convened at State House Nairobi has set in motion a transformative shift in Kenya’s education sector. The Walimu na Rais Forum, which brought together more than 10,000 teachers from across the country, marked the first-ever direct engagement between the teaching fraternity and President Dr. William Samoei Ruto.

During the landmark event, teachers presented key proposals aimed at improving the education system, enhancing teacher welfare, and addressing long-standing challenges in the sector. These proposals have since formed the foundation of a new roadmap for reform and transformation within Kenya’s education landscape.

In the wake of the forum, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, has led a series of high-level consultations to implement the President’s directives. On Tuesday, Prof. Bitok convened a critical meeting with representatives from major education stakeholders including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA), the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The meeting served as a platform to brief stakeholders on the proposed reforms and to collaboratively clarify the implementation framework for the presidential directives.

“This consultative process reaffirms our Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration,” said Prof. Bitok. “Teachers are at the heart of our nation’s development agenda, and their voices must guide the future of education in Kenya.”

The PS further emphasized that the reforms aim to empower teachers, enhance learner outcomes, and secure the country’s educational future through evidence-based, teacher-informed policy decisions.

Education unions welcomed the move, terming it a long-overdue recognition of teachers’ central role in shaping national development. They committed to working hand-in-hand with the Ministry to ensure successful implementation of the reforms.