The Ministry of Education has said private schools must have adequate learning and teaching facilities to get the go-ahead for junior secondary school
Addressing the media after assessing the preparedness of private schools in Kerugoya Municipality of Kirinyaga, State Department for Implementation of Curriculum Reforms Principal Secretary Fatuma Chege said the government through the Ministry will partner with private schools to ensure success of the curriculum.
“We are here to check how the private schools are preparing to host junior secondary schools. They are our partners and we want the curriculum to run smoothly both in public and private schools,” Prof Chege said.
The PS clarified that private schools will be allowed to host the junior secondary school provided they have fully equipped laboratories for science subjects.
“As we transition to junior secondary, science subjects will be integrated and the laboratories are key facilities that must be there,” she added.
Prof Chege said she has visited various private schools and because they have their own style of operations, the majority are in different and advanced stages towards achieving the minimum requirements.
She added apart from classrooms and laboratories, Teachers Service Commission are training enough teachers to ensure by 2023 all will be okay.
“I have been in various schools in the country and they are in different stages in terms of facilities
Private schools are not dealing with private children, they are Kenyan Children hence we must have partnership for the sake of our children,” PS said.
The PS added that all private schools who will have met requirements will be included in the selection list when the student will be selecting schools to join.
Solomon Munene, Kenya National Private Schools Vice Chairperson, said they appreciate the support from the government and called upon the private schools to ensure they work to meet all the Ministry requirements.
“We appreciate government support in the implementation of new curriculum.
We are holding talks with our members in private schools to ensure they meet minimum requirement which is laboratory, we also request the Ministry through PS to register schools which have attained all requirements,” he said.
He further cautioned the politicians against their reckless utterances on the new education curriculum and said the children are happier with CBC.
By Mutai Kipngetich
