The government will construct 1,600 new science laboratories in schools across the country, with priority given to rural institutions that currently lack the facilities, President William Ruto has announced.

He said the move is part of a broader plan to improve the quality of education and promote science learning in underserved areas.

Speaking on Thursday during the Third National Executive Retreat, Ruto said the absence of labs in many schools means students only encounter basic science equipment for the first time during national exams.

“To correct this, we are going to build 1,600 new laboratories, especially in rural schools and those that do not have labs,” he said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi confirmed that construction will begin in July.

The President also revealed that 24,000 new teachers will be hired by January 2026, pushing the total number of new teachers employed under his administration to 100,000. He said the funds for the recruitment have already been allocated in the 2025/26 budget.

“Many schools have only two or three teachers. That is unacceptable. We want to close that gap,” he said.

Ruto painted a grim picture of the education sector when he took office, citing confusion around the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), a massive teacher shortage, and financial turmoil in public universities. He said 23 universities were technically bankrupt and struggling to pay salaries, settle bills, or meet statutory obligations.

“Many were paying half salaries. They couldn’t meet their obligations to NSSF or even pay taxes. The entire system was on the verge of collapse,” Ruto said.

He said his government responded by recruiting 76,000 teachers, constructing 23,000 classrooms — 16,000 by the national government and 7,000 through CDF and partners — and restructuring university financing.

On curriculum reform, Ruto said the CBC had been reshaped into a more practical Competency-Based Education and Training model after wide consultations with education stakeholders.

“We went out to listen to Kenyans. Now it is no longer just a curriculum; it is a holistic education and training approach,” he said.

The President defended the new student-focused university funding model, saying it ensures fairer access to education by providing up to 90 per cent government scholarship for learners from poor backgrounds.

“Rather than give money to universities blindly, we now support the student directly based on need,” he said.

He acknowledged earlier problems with the model, including wrong placement into funding categories, but added that reforms have since improved the accuracy of the means testing tool. He promised further reviews to ensure fairer distribution.

“Today, Vice Chancellors can pay their staff in full and on time,” he said, citing a recent visit to the Co-operative University where the VC confirmed the institution had settled all its obligations.

Ruto added that the government will fulfil its promise to recruit the remaining balance of the targeted 116,000 teachers next year. He pledged to keep consulting education stakeholders to monitor the impact of the reforms.

“Our education system must be fair, equal, and inclusive. No child should be left behind because of where they were born or the income of their parents,” he said.

The retreat brought together national and county government leaders to assess progress in key areas including education.