Church warns against sidelining sponsors in Basic Education Bill 2026

By Silvio Nangori

Education stakeholders in Marsabit County have raised concerns over several provisions of the Basic Education Bill 2026, urging Parliament to amend sections they say need clearer definition and revision.

The views were presented on Monday during a consultative forum held at the Kenya Medical Training College KMTC Marsabit. The session was chaired by Mandera South MP Haro Abdul, who is a member of the National Assembly’s Education Committee.

Among those who appeared before the committee was the Education Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit, Fr. Abraham Ali, who said the Bill is ambiguous on the role of sponsors in the education sector.

“When I read the section on sponsors, I discovered that the Bill is very ambiguous about the definition of a sponsor, and the roles and rights of a sponsor,” Fr. Ali said.

He told the committee that sponsors are the foundation of education in Kenya, and asked lawmakers to spell out their rights and responsibilities clearly in the proposed law.

Fr. Ali noted that in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties such as Marsabit, faith-based organisations play a critical role in providing education, with the government doing comparatively little in some areas.

“Without the church, without faith organisations, the government is doing very little. If sponsors are set aside, it will be even worse,” he said.

He called on the government to recognise the contribution of religious sponsors, pointing out that the church was involved in education long before independence, having built and managed schools across the country.

“If this Bill is passed and sponsors are left out, I do not think Kenya’s education is moving in the right direction,” he warned.

Fr. Ali urged lawmakers to respect the sponsors’ historical role and give them their rightful place in the Basic Education Bill 2026, with clearly defined roles, rights and privileges.

What the current law says

Sponsors are already recognised under the Basic Education Act, 2013. The Act defines a sponsor as a person or institution that makes a significant contribution and impact on the academic, financial, infrastructural and spiritual development of a basic education institution.

Section 27 of the Act sets out the sponsor’s role. Sponsors may take part in, and make recommendations on, reviews of the syllabus, curriculum, books and other teaching aids. They are also entitled to representation on School Management Committees and Boards of Management.

The section further allows sponsors to provide supervisory and advisory services on spiritual development in schools, including appointing chaplains at their own expense. They must maintain spiritual development while safeguarding the denomination or religious adherence of others, and they may offer financial and infrastructural support.

Under Section 43(1)(a), public schools include those established, owned or operated by the Government, as well as sponsored schools.

For public schools sponsored by faith-based organisations, the County Education Board appoints the Board of Management chairperson in consultation with the sponsor. However, a faith-based sponsor that does not make a significant contribution and impact is not consulted on the appointment.

Under the Basic Education Regulations, 2015, the Board of Management of a sponsored school develops the dress code in consultation with the Parents’ Association and the sponsor.

The forum is part of the committee’s public participation exercise, in which Kenyans are giving their views on the proposed legislation before it is tabled for further debate in Parliament.