Kenya National Alternative Providers for Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools managers have appealed to the national government to speed up registrations of their schools across the country.
APBET National Secretary General, Juma Lubambo, said they have 2,800 schools domiciled in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu counties offering basic education to thousands of learners.
Lubambo however said a paltry 76 schools in Mombasa and Kisumu have been registered, while the bulk await the Ministry of Education to speed up the process in accordance to APBET policy, 2015.
He was speaking while flanked with other officials during a meeting between APBET schools’ managers and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, where they pledged to help raise their grievances to authorities.
“Most of our schools are ready for registration and we urge the ministry to fast-track the process because many have met the minimum requirement under the policy to be eligible for the registration,” added Lubambo.
Other APBET officials, who spoke during the event at Mombasa Women Hall include Nyali sub county representative Francis Kitima and his Jomvu counterpart, Rose Owino among others.
The informal school managers said the registration will also pave the way for them to access funding from the national government to implement basic free education to learners.
They argued that they have played a critical role in ensuring the presidential directive on hundred percent transition is achieved in urban informal settlements areas.
They further stated that their institutions have effectively complimented public schools towards ensuring Kenyan children have access to basic education as envisioned in basic education act, 2013 and the Constitution.
Lubambo told the forum that they seek to have their schools enlisted under the National Council for Nomadic Education (NACONEK) alongside other schools in Arid and Semi-Arid areas.
The APBET schools managers also appealed to the 47 county governments to consider financing their institutions, especially their Early Childhood Education (ECD) centers.
“Indeed our schools have enabled children from less privileged background to access basic education despite the many challenges we encounter in our operations,” they added
He stated that their school offers low cost education to the residents of urban informal families who live on a shoestring budget.
Lubambo said they have held series of meetings with county governments to pitch requests, including possibilities of being funded under Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) programme.
By Galgalo Bocha
