By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, May 15, 2026 - President William Ruto says Kenya’s education system is finally shifting from an exam-driven model that labelled some learners as failures to one that recognises different talents and abilities.
Speaking during the 70th anniversary celebrations of Thika High School on Friday, the President said recent reforms in the sector are beginning to change how students learn, grow and transition into careers.
“For a very long time, our education system produced too many failures because we had a system of one-size-fits-all,” Ruto said.
The President defended the Competency-Based Education (CBE) model, saying it has brought clarity to learners and parents while reducing pressure around national examinations.
“Focus is no longer about passing one particular examination. We have now made examinations not a life and death issue,” he said.
Ruto noted that learners are now being guided according to their strengths, with some pursuing science and technology while others specialise in arts and sports.
According to the President, nearly 60 per cent of students are currently taking the STEM pathway, while the rest are spread across creative arts and sports programmes.
The Head of State said reforms in the sector were not limited to curriculum changes alone, but also involved addressing long-standing challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and delayed funding.
In the last three years, the government has employed 100,000 teachers and plans to recruit another 20,000 this year.
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At the same time, more than 23,000 classrooms have been constructed to support the growing number of learners under the 100 per cent transition policy.
“If you have a classroom with 80 students, learning becomes very difficult. If you have a classroom with no teacher, you cannot have proper learning,” he said.
Ruto also assured schools that capitation funds would continue being released before the start of every term to avoid disruptions in learning.
“That is why we have made it deliberate that before every term opens, money for the students arrives in schools before the students,” he added.
The President linked investment in education to his broader vision of transforming Kenya into a globally competitive economy, saying the country’s future depends on building strong human capital.
“If Kenya is to move to a First World country, we need to invest in world-class human capital to drive our transformation,” he said.
He praised Thika High School for its growth over the years, noting that student enrolment at the institution had risen from 600 to 1,000 within a decade, which he described as a sign of increasing public confidence in the school.