The government will disburse free education funds to schools before commencement of the third term.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha speaking during the commissioning of two Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) classrooms at Kereri Girls High School on the outskirts of Kisii town, said they expect normalcy to resume in the school calendar during the onset of the new year.
“We still hope that by the grace of God, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing election petition, our children will go back to school, do their exams and start the new year 2023 as a normal year,” he said.
The CS noted the resumption of the normal school calendar will be the only gift that the outgoing government can give to the new regime, as well as children who have had their calendar disrupted since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Magoha pointed out that CBC classrooms are at 97 percent completion countrywide, while Nyanza Region had registered 100 percent completion of the exercise after Central and North Eastern Regions.
However, the CS decried delays in Kericho, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kwale, adding that they are focusing on these counties to ensure the classrooms are completed before the current government exits office.
Regarding the concern about the tender age of the students who will join Junior secondary school, Magoha said more than 30,000 primary school students who sat for the last year’s national exams were below 12 years.
He advised parents who wish to continue being close to their children because of their young age to consider enrolling them in day schools as they proceed to junior secondary school.
Further, Magoha told parents with children in private schools to consider retaining them there in case their schools have a section for Junior secondary school.
The CS urged the general public to avoid politicizing the new curriculum in primary education saying he has been dealing with education issues without prejudice.
In terms of keeping students in school, Magoha lauded school principals for retaining learners saying there are a few school heads who are still sending children home for no apparent reason.
“If you have to look for fees urgently, summon your Parents-Teachers Associations so that they can get some parents to clear the fees and protect the vulnerable children. If you send them away, you are blocking them from accessing their right to education,” he said.
Magoha pointed out that day secondary schools remain free of charge as the government caters for every child’s need, thus no child should be sent home.
By Mercy Osongo and Vincent Nyambane
