Nairobi Education Hearings Put Informal Schools and Refugee Learners in Focus

Education stakeholders in Nairobi have urged Parliament to strengthen support for vulnerable learners during public hearings on proposed education reforms.

The September 25 session at County Hall considered concerns affecting children in informal settlements, refugees and learners with disabilities.

Representatives called for clearer recognition of Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training institutions, commonly known as APBET schools.

The United APBET Schools Association sought explicit provisions covering registration, capitation and bursaries, arguing that existing administrative gains should survive changes to education legislation.

Other participants requested specific safeguards for refugee, asylum-seeking and stateless children. Refugee women also raised recognition of qualified teachers within their communities.

Disability representatives called for accessible learning environments, while child protection organisations highlighted learners whose circumstances can leave them outside conventional support systems.

Submissions also covered parental participation, teacher training, student financing and school discipline. These were proposals presented to the committee, rather than reforms already implemented.

The committee said the recommendations would be considered in its report, leaving stakeholders awaiting how their submissions will be reflected in the next stage of the legislative process.