NEMIS to KEMIS: KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori Critiques Kenya’s Endless ‘Name Change’ Culture in Education.
A new education management platform called the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) will be piloted in July to integrate learners’ data with the Maisha Namba digital identification system. KEMIS is designed to replace the National Education Management Information System (Nemis), which has experienced numerous challenges since its launch in 2018.
Recently, school heads have indicated that with the government’s plan to replace NEMIS with KEMIS, there might be hope to finally resolve the long-standing issues around capitation funds.
However, Akelo Misori, the Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), expressed skepticism about this move. He explained, “I don’t believe this is the silver bullet to fix capitation once and for all.”
He pointed out that the education sector is familiar with frequent renaming without substantial change. He noted, “We have seen primary schools renamed as comprehensive schools, yet the curriculum content remains the same.” Misori emphasized that the expectation was for the curriculum to be comprehensive, not for schools to be renamed unnecessarily.
Misori explained that simply changing a name does not translate into real improvement. He likened it to renaming someone Paul when their real name is Saul, which “does not make any difference in the circumstance.” He believes such changes are attempts to placate public expectations without addressing underlying problems.
Regarding the new funding model and technology, he stated, “We are just there to massage the ego of the public that this is something new and therefore it is happening,” suggesting that the public is being misled.
Technological Failures Behind the Scenes
NEMIS was initially intended to streamline data management for basic education, focusing on primary and secondary schools to improve funding allocation and decision-making. However, it faced multiple problems such as data inconsistencies, duplicated identities, and mismatched records, which sometimes prevented deserving students and schools from accessing government resources.
The system also struggled to align with the competency-based curriculum (CBC), making it difficult to monitor learner progress effectively. Other complications included inadequate training for school staff, fraudulent activities like inflating enrolment numbers, and resistance from some education institutions due to the system’s complexity and errors.
The Secretary-General criticized the technology behind NEMIS, saying it was procured without sufficient capacity to handle the number of learners nationwide.
“The technology could not accommodate all the learners in this country,” Misori explained, adding that many students from grades one to four were missing from the register, despite attending school. This failure meant that NEMIS had barely started before it collapsed, leaving school needs unrecorded.
He questioned why the government insists on rolling out a similar system again without fixing these fundamental issues. “What would be wrong if you asked everybody to pay the money directly to the bank?” he asked. He expressed concerns over the new system’s reliability, pointing out that the rebranding is due to the previous technology’s failure.
Is KEMIS Really Different?
When pressed if KEMIS offers any improvement over NEMIS, Misori was clear: “I don’t think it is different from what we have. It is the same, the same, the same.”
He expressed doubt that the newly procured technology can deliver the expected results, highlighting a lack of creativity and efficiency, especially in procurement processes. He warned that the rapid renaming and technological shifts reflect a failure to establish a culture of effectiveness in managing educational resources.
KEMIS Integration with Maisha Namba Digital ID
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok explained that Kemis incorporates two major features: a mobile application tailored for education and integration with the Maisha Namba digital identification system. Under Maisha Namba, every newborn will receive a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI), which Kemis will utilize to link data accurately.
The UPI will also assist in processing death certificate numbers and enable the government to maintain reliable and precise data records. According to Julius Melly, chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Education, having accurate data places authorities in a better position to make informed budgetary decisions. He further indicated that the legislative agenda will support this innovative system with appropriate legal backing.
Professor Bitok has assembled a team responsible for consolidating existing student registers from foundation learning through university into a single comprehensive database. Unlike Nemis, which only contains data from basic education learners, Kemis aims to provide a full education spectrum.
The system will offer real-time access to data for learners, parents, education officials, and other stakeholders through a dedicated mobile app. Professor Bitok highlighted that the app will feature photographs of all involved parties, including parents, partners, and county education directors, creating a unified platform for easy access.
Professor Bitok emphasized efforts to make the new process easier and more user-friendly than Nemis. He noted that parents will no longer need to visit schools or education offices physically to obtain information. Instead, they will be able to access their child’s report cards instantly via the mobile app by entering the child’s ID number.
He acknowledged that while some users might initially struggle with the technology, guidance and support will be provided to ensure everyone can use the app effectively.
Comprehensive Coverage from Early Childhood to Higher Education
The new platform will digitize and unify data across all education levels, from basic education to tertiary institutions and research bodies. Professor Bitok clarified that Kemis is designed to cover all institutions, from early childhood development centers to universities, integrating data from sub-county and county education offices into a single ecosystem.
This integration will allow for continuous tracking of a learner’s progress from early foundational learning through to postgraduate research. The system will also unify schools, colleges, and education officials at various administrative levels.
READ ALSO: CS Ogamba Warn Principals Against Illegal Levies Amid Delayed Funding
Professor Bitok announced that Kemis will be officially launched on July 1, 2025, with learner enrolment scheduled to start on July 15. Despite the introduction of Kemis, Nemis will continue operating concurrently for one year to ensure a smooth transition.
He assured the National Assembly committee that both systems will run simultaneously during this period, and that Kemis builds upon the existing system rather than being an entirely new platform, addressing concerns some stakeholders had regarding its novelty.
NEMIS to KEMIS: KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori Critiques Kenya’s Endless ‘Name Change’ Culture in Education
