MPs pass Bill seeking funding for learners in informal schools

Members of the National Assembly have passed the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in a move that could pave the way for formal recognition and increased government support for thousands of learners attending Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) institutions.

The Bill, sponsored by Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch, seeks to bring APBET schools into Kenya’s basic education framework and address longstanding gaps affecting children who rely on non-formal schools, particularly in informal settlements and marginalised communities.

The passage of the Bill comes against the backdrop of a growing demand for education in densely populated informal settlements, where public schools are often insufficient to accommodate the number of children seeking basic education.

Moving the Bill during its Second Reading, Oluoch said the proposed reforms were intended to strengthen the implementation of constitutional guarantees on equality, human dignity and the right to education.

He pointed to Articles 10, 27, 43 and 53 of the Constitution, which  provide a foundation for protecting the rights and welfare of children and ensuring access to basic services.

The legislation seeks to formally include APBET institutions in the definition of basic education institutions, potentially opening the door to public funding for infrastructure, learning materials and other educational needs.

Kibra MP Peter Orero highlighted the scale of the challenge in informal settlements, saying APBET schools have become a major part of the education system in areas where public institutions are inadequate.