Education is a very imperative factor towards economic and social development. Most of the industrialized countries are characterized by a large number of erudite citizens. Since primary school education was made free in Kenya, after the 2002 General elections, many of the children affected by poverty got the opportunity to acquire education. Although numerous were still locked out either because of the long distances from available schools to their homes or because of the negligence of some parents especially those from rural communities who do not value education. A lot of brilliant students were therefore denied their right to education. Fortunately, this will soon be a tale of the past if the education bill that was recently tabled in parliament is to be passed. The bill is intended to make education free and compulsory to every child.

The bill states that education should be free and compulsory to every child, and parents should enroll any child of school going age to a nearby primary school. It also states that no child should be held back until he/she completes basic education. If a child fails to attend school on a regular basis or is not enrolled in any school, the parent or guardian is to face up to one year jail sentence or a fine of 5,000 shillings. The bill also outlines that only a cabinet secretary, through a gazette notice, will exempt any child’s admission to a school. Toting up to that, the cabinet secretary in consultation with the National Education Board and County Education Board will establish primary and secondary institutions within a radius of 3 kilometers of every residential area. This will curb the problem of schools being inaccessible to some children, particularly those in rural areas.

This bill could transform the lives of many Kenyans. There are countless children unfairly deprived of education and for some, it is due to the negligence of their parents. This will also increase opportunities for the girl child to be educated as well as eliminate their early marriages since some communities are notorious for holding the belief that educating the girl child is a waste of time and resources. Additional opportunities for education will also promote economic development. This is because education increases invention and innovation. Many scholars will also be enrolled in secondary schools and this will open scholarship opportunities for secondary education. If these students pass well, they will be sponsored by various institutions and organizations for their secondary education and for some even their tertiary education. Therefore the education bill is a colossal step towards development in Kenya.