Education experts call for changes to improve basic learning in schools

AHMED ELMAWI-PCO

Kenya’s education stakeholders have renewed calls for urgent reforms to strengthen foundational learning, as the country convened its inaugural National Foundational Learning Conference in Mombasa, under the theme “Launch, Learn, Lead: Strengthening Foundational Learning in Kenya.”

The forum brought together policymakers, educators, county leaders, and development partners, all united by a shared goal: ensuring every child acquires basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills.

Speaking during the conference, the Director General at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Elyas Abdi, underscored the urgency of shifting focus from school enrolment to actual learning outcomes.

“Over the past decade, Kenya has made significant progress in expanding access to education. More children are in school today than ever before. However, one message is clear: access must translate into learning, and that learning must begin at the foundational level,” he said.

Dr Abdi emphasized that early acquisition of basic skills is critical to the success of the entire education system, warning that gaps at the foundational stage ripple through higher levels of learning.

“If learners do not acquire basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills early, the entire system faces challenges in delivering meaningful outcomes,” he noted.

On data and accountability, Abdi stressed the need for evidence-based decision-making. “Improving learning requires timely, reliable, and actionable data.

The priority now is to ensure that this data is actively used to inform teaching and support learners at the classroom level,” he said.

He called for stronger alignment across curriculum, assessment, and supervision systems, alongside enhanced quality assurance and equitable resource distribution, particularly for vulnerable learners.

Kericho County Governor, Dr. Erick Mutai, who also chairs the Council of Governors’ Education Committee, underscored the central role of county governments in delivering foundational learning, describing it as both a moral obligation and an economic necessity.

He noted that counties are on the frontlines of ensuring young learners acquire basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, which form the bedrock of lifelong learning and future opportunity.

“Foundational learning is not rhetoric; it is our daily business of ensuring that our youngest citizens acquire the skills that are the bedrock of all future learning,” Dr Mutai said.

He warned that children who fail to attain basic reading and numeracy skills by age 10 face severely limited life chances, adding that counties are determined to ensure every child gets a fair and equal start.