Ministry of Education direct parents to register pupils and students on SHA
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang in a memo copied to County Directors of Education and Sub-County Directors of Education has called on all concerned to take the needful measures.
The Department of Basic Education has issued a directive to parents and guardians of school-going children to forthwith register the learners on Social Health Authority (SHA).
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang in a memo copied to County Directors of Education and Sub-County Directors of Education has called on all concerned to take the needful measures.
“The Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services. It is on the premise of this constitutional provision that the Social Health Insurance Act No.16 of 2023 was enacted. The Act provides that every Kenyan, including children shall register on SHA,” read part of the letter.
It went further; “In this regard, parents/guardians of school going children are required to register them on Social Health Authority through URLafyanu.co.ke or by dialing (*147#) and following the instructions.”
The government through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Education (MoE) are working to ensure all learners are entered into the Taifa Care operating under the Social Health Authority. This is so that access to healthcare equitably is achieved.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba earlier in a separate event said that the Ministry was also taking data on learners who lack birth certificates for the Ministry of Interior to start issuing birth certificates.
“This exercise is important because a healthy nation is a working nation. We need a nation that is doing well in terms of education and health,” stated Ogamba.
According to PS Kipsang, the due deadline for the transition to the Edu Afya health benefits is end of February.
“You are therefore directed to inform all schools within your jurisdiction to communicate this information to parents promptly and provide any other necessary guidance to facilitate registration process latest February, 28, 2025.”
Thus far, as per data in government portal, as at close of January this year already slightly over 18 million Kenyans have already been enlisted under SHA.
