President William Ruto has directed Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to integrate informal and religious learning systems, such as madrasas, into Kenya's formal education system.

• The directive aims to ensure no child is excluded from learning due to geography, neglect, or unrecognized alternative education pathways.
• Key stakeholders in the Basic Education Act will be consulted to develop proposals for formal recognition.
• This reform specifically targets the inclusion of madrasa, Tulsi, and pastoral instruction programmes, which are currently outside the national framework.

President William Ruto has ordered the Ministry of Education to integrate Madrasa, Duksi, and pastoral instruction programs into Kenya's basic education system, aiming to increase educational access for marginalized children.

• The directive, announced during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County, will establish a legal and policy framework for these alternative learning pathways.
• President Ruto emphasized that education is a powerful tool for transformation, noting a significant increase in the education budget from Sh500 billion in 2022 to over Sh702 billion.
• This integration aims to ensure every child has a recognized path to learning, skills, and opportunity, particularly addressing historical inequalities in northern Kenya.

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for subsequent loans for continuing students for the 2026/2027 academic year, commencing June 1, 2026. This comes as the National Treasury proposed a record Ksh58 billion allocation for student loans in the 2026-2027 financial year.

• Ksh58 billion proposed allocation for the 2026-2027 financial year.
• The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and National Treasury.
• Applications for continuing students are open via USSD *642#, distinct from the upcoming July opening for first-time applicants.