More than 15,000 primary school head teachers have converged in Mombasa for their annual conference, demanding urgent government action to address persistent infrastructure gaps and uneven teacher deployment ahead of the critical transition to senior school under the competency-based education (CBE).
The annual conference, which runs from November 10 to 13, also saw the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) announce its rebranding to the Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KECSHA), a move aligned with the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms report.
The educators from more than 23,000 primary schools across the country cited a lack of laboratories, workshops, and ICT facilities, especially in remote areas and for learners with special needs, as major roadblocks to successful CBE implementation.
"We are grappling with infrastructure gaps, particularly in laboratories, workshops, and ICT facilities in remote areas and for learners with special needs. Others are uneven teacher deployment and retooling in specialized areas, limited funding predictability affecting planning and resource allocation," said KEPSHA Chairman Mr Fuad Ali.
Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) national chairperson Fuad Ali speaks to the media ahead of the Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
The head teachers also want the state to deepen parental engagement in learner profiling and pathway choices. These challenges, Mr Ali said are calls to action, guiding KEPSHA’s ongoing collaboration with government ministries, agencies, and partners to ensure that no child or school is left behind
Speaking to the press at the Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa, Mr Ali said the conference, themed "CBE Transition: Celebrating Achievements, Strengthening Leadership, and Shaping the Future of Learning", marks a defining moment in Kenya's education reform journey.
"Having successfully transitioned through the first phase of Competency-Based Education, from Pre-Primary I to Grade 9, we now enter the transformation phase, preparing for the rollout of Senior School," Mr Ali said.
He stressed that the stage "demands shared responsibility and coherence" among policymakers, educators, parents, and partners to shape inclusive and future-focused learning.
The head teachers will deliberate on four key sub-themes: Celebrating achievements in the CBE transition, building bridges for systemic change and policy alignment, strengthening school leadership for effective Senior School transition.
They will also deliberate on shaping the future of learning by preparing future-ready, inclusive, digital, and climate-smart learning environments.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok is set to officially open the ceremony on Monday. Other highlights include a deliberation by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Evaleen Mitei on Adaptive Leadership for Teacher Professionalism.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
The conference has attracted international exhibitors from Germany, Brazil, and the USA, showcasing innovations in ICT, foundational numeracy, and global best practices in digital learning.
Regarding the name change, Mr Ali said the transition from KEPSHA to KECSHA reflects the association's commitment to continuous improvement and alignment with national education reforms.
"This initiative follows the recommendation of the 2023 Report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, now captured in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025, reflecting our determination to strengthen leadership, broaden impact, and support comprehensive schools across the country," he announced.
The delegates, representing all 47 counties, will also discuss learner-centred pedagogy, digital innovation, career guidance, and mentorship to ensure learners align their interests with pathways.
