Teachers’ Full Programme for State House Meeting with President – September 13, 2025

The much-awaited State House teachers’ meeting is finally here. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, teachers from across Kenya will converge at State House Nairobi for an official programme with His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and top education stakeholders. This landmark event is expected to shape the conversation around the teaching profession, welfare, and reforms in the education sector. For years, teachers have called for greater involvement in policymaking, and this event is designed to bridge the gap between educators and national leadership.

Morning Session: Arrival and Registration

The day will begin early, with teachers and delegates expected at State House Nairobi by 7:00 AM. Registration and security clearance will be carried out between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM, followed by a brief tea and networking session. This session allows teachers to interact with colleagues from different counties, union leaders, and ministry officials even before the formal discussions start. Networking opportunities are critical because teachers from remote areas rarely get the chance to exchange experiences with their peers in urban centers.

Official Opening Ceremony

At 10:00 AM, the official ceremony will start with the national anthem and prayers, followed by welcome remarks from the Head of Public Service. Shortly after, the Cabinet Secretary for Education will give a short address setting the tone for the meeting. One of the most anticipated moments will be the keynote speech by the TSC Chairperson at 10:45 AM, where teacher welfare and reforms will be at the center of the discussion. Teachers are hopeful that this address will give clarity on matters like promotions, the ongoing JSS integration challenges, and long-standing issues with career progression.

The Presidential Address

The highlight of the morning is undoubtedly the Presidential Address scheduled for 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM. His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto will address the teachers directly, focusing on critical areas such as:

• Teachers’ welfare and salary harmonization to address pay disparities.
• Streamlining recruitment and promotion processes that have been criticized for delays and lack of fairness.
• Strengthening the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) through more teacher training and resource allocation.
• Expanding opportunities for continuous professional growth to ensure Kenyan teachers remain globally competitive.

This address is not only symbolic but also practical, as teachers expect firm commitments from the Head of State. Given that TSC recently launched new reforms including digital transfers and a three-year waiting period for B.Ed graduates before registration, teachers are watching closely to see how these policies will be reinforced. You can read more about these changes in our earlier article: TSC 2025 Reforms: JSS Transfers and B.Ed Three-Year Wait.

Lunch and Networking

From 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, lunch will be served in the State House gardens. This informal session gives teachers a chance to interact with policymakers in a less structured environment. For many educators, this is a golden opportunity to share personal experiences, highlight challenges in their schools, and connect with key decision-makers face-to-face.

Afternoon Panel Discussions

The afternoon session will feature two major panel discussions. The first panel, running from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, will focus on Teacher Professional Development (TPD) and Career Progression. This is a timely conversation, given that TSC has rolled out various capacity-building programmes but teachers have often questioned their cost, relevance, and implementation. The panel is expected to address how TPD can be made more affordable and practical, aligning directly with career growth.

The second panel, scheduled from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, will delve into Digital Learning, Competency-Based Education, and the Future of Classrooms. With digital transformation already reshaping the education sector, this discussion will examine how ICT tools, online resources, and artificial intelligence can support CBC implementation. Teachers also want assurances on infrastructure and training, especially in rural schools where digital learning is still a challenge.

At 4:30 PM, there will be a Q&A session where teachers can directly engage with ministry officials and TSC representatives. This open forum is expected to bring raw, unfiltered concerns to the table, from delayed salaries to the plight of intern teachers and the heavy workload in Junior Secondary Schools.

Closing Ceremony

The day will wrap up at 5:00 PM with a vote of thanks by a representative of the teachers, followed by closing remarks from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. By 5:30 PM, the official programme ends, and teachers will depart with the hope that their voices have been heard at the highest level of government.

Why This Event Matters

This State House meeting is more than just a ceremonial event. It is a recognition of the central role teachers play in national development. For decades, teachers have felt sidelined in key education decisions, with unions often carrying their grievances to the streets. This direct platform with President Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki, and senior government officials is expected to change that narrative. Teachers’ welfare, promotions, and salary harmonization are pressing issues that have consistently sparked industrial action. By addressing them directly, the government shows commitment to resolving long-standing disputes.

Moreover, CBC reforms remain a contentious issue. Teachers, especially those in Junior Secondary Schools, have shouldered the heaviest burden of the curriculum shift. By placing CBC at the heart of the Presidential address, the meeting acknowledges the efforts and sacrifices teachers have made. This could also pave the way for more structured support, from additional training to provision of teaching resources.

Stakeholder Expectations

KNUT and KUPPET have already expressed optimism that the meeting will yield positive outcomes. KNUT wants clarity on promotions and staffing gaps, while KUPPET has emphasized the need to move Junior Secondary to secondary schools to ease management challenges. Parents, on the other hand, expect reforms that will stabilize CBC and ensure smooth learning for their children.

Universities and teacher training colleges are also watching the meeting closely. The new requirement for B.Ed graduates to wait three years before registering with TSC has major implications for higher education institutions. Many colleges may be forced to adjust their programmes or encourage graduates to diversify career paths.

Looking Beyond the Meeting

The resolutions from this State House meeting will set the pace for education reforms in the next decade. Teachers will be keen to see whether promises made during the event translate into real change on the ground. Issues such as salary arrears, timely promotions, teacher appraisal systems, and workload balance are expected to dominate follow-up conversations.

For the government, the challenge will be ensuring that reforms are not just policy statements but actionable commitments backed by adequate funding. The digitalization of TSC services, ongoing retooling of JSS teachers, and prioritization of Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers are just the beginning. Real transformation will require long-term planning and teacher involvement at every stage.

Final Word

The State House Teachers’ Meeting 2025 is a milestone in recognizing the vital role of teachers in national development. It is not only about speeches and programmes but also about charting a new direction for the profession. Teachers will be walking into State House with high expectations, and the government has the opportunity to show genuine commitment to improving education in Kenya.

This meeting is expected to address the most pressing issues affecting teachers today — welfare, promotions, salaries, CBC reforms, and digital learning. If resolutions are acted upon, September 13, 2025, could be remembered as a turning point in Kenya’s education sector.