Parents Push for Independent Association in Proposed Education Law

​By Greenspan Dulo, The Pressman Kenya

The National Parents Association (NPA) has called on Parliament to introduce key changes to the proposed Basic Education Act 2026, including replacing the term Parents Teachers Association (PTA) with Parents Association (PA).

Speaking on behalf of the association, Silas David Obuhatsa, National Chairman of the National Parents Association (NPA), said the proposed changes would strengthen parents’ representation in Kenya’s education sector while maintaining cooperation with teachers and other education stakeholders.

Obuhatsa said the association wants the term PTA replaced with PA at the school, sub-county and county levels, while retaining the National Parents Association at the national level.

He said the move would allow parents to have an independent association focused specifically on parents’ interests, noting that teachers already have their own professional associations and unions.

According to Obuhatsa, the proposed change would help distinguish the responsibilities of parents from those of teachers while allowing the two groups to continue working together for the benefit of learners.

The NPA is also asking Parliament to retain the association’s existing four-level structure established under the Basic Education Act 2013.

The structure consists of parents’ representation at the school, sub-county, county and national levels.

Obuhatsa said removing the national level would leave parents without a formal voice when national education policies are being developed.

He argued that education policies are formulated at the national level and parents therefore need an organised national structure through which they can participate in policy discussions and provide input on matters affecting learners.

The association has further called for the NPA to be granted independent corporate status, saying this would strengthen its ability to operate as an organised national body.

Obuhatsa said corporate status would enable the association to establish and maintain its own register of parents, employ staff and manage its affairs more effectively.

He also said legal recognition could create a framework through which the government could support programmes aimed at assisting parents and learners at the grassroots.

The NPA leadership, however, maintains that seeking an independent parents’ association does not mean parents want to sever their relationship with educators.

Instead, Obuhatsa said teachers would remain important partners in addressing issues affecting learners, but each group should have clearly defined roles and independent representation.

The proposals come as stakeholders engage with the proposed review of Kenya’s basic education legal framework.

The NPA says there are several other issues it intends to pursue but has identified the three proposals as immediate priorities.

The association is urging the government and Parliament to consider the proposals before the proposed Basic Education Act 2026 is enacted.

Obuhatsa said retaining the existing grassroots-to-national structure would ensure that views from individual schools can be channelled through sub-county and county structures to the national office.

He argued that the system would provide a clear link between parents at the grassroots and national education policymakers.

The NPA says it will continue engaging with stakeholders on other concerns affecting parents and education as the legislative process progresses.

Greenspan Dulo, The Pressman Kenya


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